Haitian Pikliz – Spicy Pickled Vegetables

Pikliz

(Spicy Pickled Vegetables)

Pikliz are a staple food here in Haiti.  They are served as a side-dish at most meals.  Though they look a lot like coleslaw, don’t be deceived!  They taste a lot different and have a huge kick with every bite.

Ingredients:

• Cabbage – 2 heads
• 4 – 8 Hot peppers (scotch bonnet)
• 1 Carrot
• 1 green bell pepper
• 1 orange or red bell pepper
• 4 limes
• ½ Chicken bouillon cube
• Splash of Vinegar
• 1 tsp. salt

This will feed about 20 people.

Step 1:  Chop Vegetables

Remove outer leaves and core of cabbage.  Finely shred with a knife.

Finely chop the hot peppers by holding on to the stem and cutting the rest with your other hand.  Be careful not to touch the insides or your fingers will be burning!  Discard the tops.

Thinly slice green and orange/red peppers into strips.

Grate carrot.

Put all vegetables into a large bowl and stir.

Step 2:  Add some flavor!

Cut limes in half and squeeze all juice into a bowl.  Strain to remove seeds.

Crush chicken bouillon cube and mix with lime juice.

Pour this over the chopped vegetables and mix well.

Add a little salt to taste.  You can also add a splash of vinegar if you like.

Step 3:  Patiently wait…

Let everything sit for a while (at least a few hours).  The longer is sits, the spicier and more flavorful it will be.

Step 4:  Enjoy your “Pikliz”

You have now successfully made pikliz!  They can be pretty hot, so you don’t eat too much of them.  They are best when eaten with a Haitian food called “akra” or over any food you want to spice up, such as fried meat, fish, plantains, or rice.  (Normally you don’t eat them by themselves, but rather on top of something else.)

Pictured here is pikliz and akra (recipe for akra is coming next…)