Pickled Broccoli Stems

Ingredients

• Stems from 1 bunch broccoli
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon pickling spice
• 1 bay leaf
• Zest and juice of 1/2 lemon

Steps

1. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil.
2. Peel the broccoli stems and slice them into 1/2-inch-thick coins (or oddball shapes--just keep them all about the same size). Blanch them in the boiling water until fork-tender, 2 to 4 minutes. Cool them in ice water; drain.
3. Bring the vinegar, salt, sugar, pickling spice, bay leaf, lemon zest and juice and 1 cup water to a boil in a small saucepan.
4. Pour over the broccoli and let cool.
5. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.