ZUNI CAFé'S RED ONION PICKLES

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Zuni Café's Red Onion Pickles image

At San Francisco's Zuni Café, these crisp, bright pink onion rings are served with the hamburger, but they are also delicious paired with charcuterie, pâtés, cheese platters and smoked fish. Easy to make and wonderful to have on hand, the pickles keep indefinitely in the refrigerator.

Provided by David Tanis

Categories     pickles

Time 1h

Yield 2 pints

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 cups distilled white vinegar
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick, broken
A few cloves
A few allspice berries
1 dried red chile
1 star anise pod (optional)
2 bay leaves
A few black peppercorns
1 pound firm red onions (about 2 medium)

Steps:

  • Make the brine: Combine vinegar, sugar, cinnamon, cloves, allspice berries, chile, star anise, bay leaves and peppercorns in a 4-quart (or larger) nonreactive pot at least 10 inches in diameter. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer and cook for 3 minutes. Cover pot, turn off heat and leave to infuse for 10 minutes.
  • Peel the onions, trim ends and slice crosswise into 3/8-inch thick slices. Separate into rings, discarding any green centers or leathery outer rings.
  • Bring the brine back to a boil. Add onions and turn off heat. Stir with a wooden spoon to submerge onions. Leave to steep, covered, until mixture cools.
  • Transfer onions and brine to pint jars and refrigerate for at least a day before serving.

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