Taqueria-Style Spicy Pickled Carrots

Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Servings: 6
Yield: 6 servings

Description

Taqueria-style spicy pickled carrots (zanahorias en escabeche) recipe is served as side dishes in many Mexican taquerias but can easily be made at home.

Ingredients

1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
3/4 pound carrots
1 small yellow onion
6 medium fresh jalapenos
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 large bay leaves
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

1 Whisk vinegar, water, and sea salt together in a small saucepan; bring to a low boil over medium-high heat, reduce heat, and simmer until salt is completely dissolved, about 3 minutes. Set aside.
2 Peel carrots; cut into ½-inch diagonal slices. Cut onion into quarters; cut each quarter into 3 strips. Cut stems off jalapeños; cut each jalapeño into 6 strips. Slightly crush each garlic clove.
3 Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add carrots; cook, stirring occasionally, for 6 minutes. Add bay leaves, peppercorns, oregano, and cumin seeds; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add onion, jalapeños, and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender and fragrant but not soft, about 15 minutes.
4 Pack vegetable mixture into a 24-ounce wide mouth canning jar; pour in cooled vinegar mixture until liquid reaches 1 inch from the top. Pour 1 teaspoon olive oil on top; secure the lid. Cool to room temperature. The carrots are ready to serve after 1 hour but best after sitting for 24 hours.