Giardiniera
Giardiniera is a condiment consisting of serrano peppers, bell peppers, olives, celery, pimentos, carrots and cauliflower marinated in vegetable oil, olive oil, soybean oil or any combination of the three oils. Italian giardiniera does not contain any hot peppers, it simply pickled vegetables in red or white wine vinegar. Common vegetables in the Italian version include onions, celery, zucchini, carrots and cauliflower. It is typically eaten as an antipasto, or with salads.
The word "giardiniera" in Italian literally translates to "woman gardener." It is derived from the root word "giardino" which means "garden."
Giardiniera as it is known in the United States was invented in the year 1925 in Chicago by famous "Beef and Sausage Man" Pasquale Scala[citation needed]. Since its inception giardiniera has traditionally been served on Italian beef and Italian sausage, though it is also commonly served on meatball sandwiches, Italian subs, pizza, and Chicago-style hot dogs.
Famous brands of Giardiniera include Scala's[1], Dell'Alpe[2], Freddy's Pizzeria[3], Marconi[4], Il Primo[5], and Bari Foods.
Giardiniera is the Official Condiment of the Giardiniera Cup Championship, the international bocce tournament created in 2001 by Vincenzo DiTommaso, Paolo Cozzi and Brian "Trilla" Hepner. The Giardiniera Cup Championship takes place once every summer in the town of Coloma, Michigan, under the supervision of host Brian Harrison.