Carrot Daikon Pickles

Carrot daikon pickles

A heaping fire borne of carrot and daikon? A maze to fall into? Or a stick-world yet unknown? Oh, what a pickle [Photo credit: Alex Paternostro]

by Seth Paternostro
November 2, 2021

They’re sweet. They’re funky. They’re acidic. What else can I say? These carrot daikon pickles are a family-favorite that pop up all over Our American Cuisine. Think of them like Where’s Waldo? (or perhaps Finding Nemo), and you’ll soon have a new jar in the back of your fridge that you’ll never want to forget.


Makes about 1 quart jar

Total time
20 minutes

Equipment:
Cutting board, chef’s knife or cleaver, peeler, large mixing bowl, colander, measuring cups and spoons, 1-quart jar, mixing spoon, tasting spoon, large glass cup or bowl, microwave

Tableware:
small bowls


Ingredients

  • 2 medium carrots

  • 6-inch piece daikon

  • 1¼ cups distilled white vinegar

  • 1 cup water

  • ½ cup granulated sugar, plus 1 tsp

  • 1 tsp salt, plus as desired

  • Water, as needed

Instructions

  1. Set out all equipment and ingredients. Wash the carrot and daikon. Thoroughly clean, and dry the quart jar. 

  2. Peel, and cut the carrots and daikon into 3-inch matchsticks. 

  3. Place the carrots and daikon in a mixing bowl with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp sugar. Mix with your hands until the vegetables have released some of their liquid and the ends can touch when bent. 

  4. Rinse the vegetables, and drain in a colander. 

  5. Combine the vinegar, water, and ½ cup granulated sugar.

  6. Microwave for 30 seconds or until warm.

  7. Stir to dissolve the sugar.

  8. Taste, and adjust with salt. 

  9. Pack the carrots and daikon into a 1-quart jar, cover with the brine, then seal.

  10. Ideally, refrigerate overnight before using.

Note: Andrea Nguyen’s recipe for carrot daikon pickles inspired the version above. Her website and cookbooks are all wonderful resources to explore Vietnamese flavors.

NUTRITION FACTS:

Calories 41 Total Fat 0g (0%) Saturated Fat 0g (0%) Cholesterol 0mg (0%) Sodium 167mg (7%) Total Carbohydrate 8.6g (3%) Dietary Fiber 0.5g (2%) Total Sugars 7.6g Protein 0.4g Vitamin D 0mcg (0%) Calcium 6mg (0%) Iron 0mg (1%) Potassium 97mg (2%) - Note: Please read our Nutrition Disclaimer.


Seth Paternostro is a writer and recipe developer based in Chicago. He is a co-founder of Our American Cuisine and graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University with an A.B. in East Asian Studies. You can learn more about him here.


 

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