So here’s the deal. I’m a huge fan of onions but not always a huge fan of ‘pickled’. However, these little beauts have changed my mind….these Spicy Pickled Red Onions are a game changer!
Is it the flavor? Yes! Is it something else, too? Yes! Walk with me…..
Today’s post’ll be short and sweet…I mean, short and pickled….
If you follow my personal Instagram page then you know that Dom and I get up to Lake Placid, NY quite a bit…our home away from home, if you will. Outside of our primary home – there’s no other place that gives us the kind of warm fuzzy feelings that Lake Placid does (well, except Italy, hehehe). Of course, when we’re up there, we have our tried and true rituals. We hike (aka walk) Mirror Lake and have tackled (so far) two of the 46 high peaks. The family skis (I do not), we kayak, ponder the views, shop the shops, enjoy the shows and whatever weekend events the town has going on, i.e. lacrosse, brewfests, Iron Man, holiday strolls, etc… We eat fabulous food and drink delicious wine.
This past weekend was no exception. Though the skies weren’t the sunniest, it didn’t stop us from driving Rt.73 over to Keene to take in the foliage and stop for some hot spiced cider and chocolate banana turnovers before heading back to our cozy Snowshoe Lodge.
So where do the spicy pickled red onions fit in, you might be wondering? (I would be, too…)
Remember when I mentioned ‘fabulous food’ two sentences ago?
One of the places we frequent – actually, I could probably count on one hand how many times we have NOT eaten here since discovering it, is Lisa G’s. Lisa makes some of the best Greek food we’ve ever had. Greek wings, falafel sandwiches and really inventive salads.
Enter pickled onions…
On one of more recent trips, we decided to do take-out. Lisa G’s was scratching at the back of our heads so we ordered our usual 10 crispy Greek wings with feta dipping sauce to share, and a salad.
My salad was filled with all sorts of yummy mix-ins like quinoa, spinach, and among other things, pickled onions. I don’t want to reveal all since I have it on good authority that the salad will be making an exclusive appearance right here on CiaoChow sometime soon… Needless to say, I loved it!
So, yes, I realize this post is as much about Lake Placid as it is my Spicy Pickled Red Onion recipe – but it’s all delicious. Am I right?
As the foliage changes and the flowers wilt, I adore the Columbus Day weekend, not only for the extra day off, but to grab as much color as I can to store in my memory bank, as well as on my memory card, ready to be pulled out in ohhhh, early March, when I’ve had just about all the gray I can handle…
And these pretty in pink onions will not only dress up our plates, but elevate the flavor of our:
-
- sandwiches
- gyros
- pizzas
- charcuterie
- salads
It’s so nice to know that something that takes roughly an hour to prepare can be ready and waiting in the fridge when we need to add a splash of color and flavor to our dishes.
Buon Appetito!
Print
Spicy Pickled Red Onions
- Category: Vegetable
Ingredients
- 2 large red onions
- 1 jalapeño
- 2 plump cloves of garlic
- 3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/4 cup sugar
Instructions
- Slice the onions and jalapeño into fairly thin rings and the garlic into thin slices.
- Put 4 cups of water into a small pot. Stir in the vinegar, salt and sugar, then bring the liquid to a boil.
- Add the onions, jalapeño and garlic, bring back to a boil and simmer for 3 minutes.
- Remove from heat and allow the onions to sit in the liquid for an hour, then drain.
- Refrigerate until ready to use.
CIAO!
Lake Placid looks stunning and those Greek wings sounds so good, I can probably go for a few right now!! I love love pickled onions, actually lot of times I just make them on the spot while getting dinner ready and them all by myself without even letting them marinate hehe!
I just can’t visit without having an order of those wings! I love that you make and eat pickled onions while you’re cooking!
This sounds so good, Annie! I’ve made super basic pickled red onion with vinegar, but I love the spice and garlic here. I have to try this way next time!
I know you’ll love it! Thanks, Alyssa!
I usually don’t go for anything pickled, but I read the ingredients list and what’s not to love? I’m a huge fan of red onions and want to try this! I love your Lake Placed photos and description too. I’m still thinking about the chocolate banana turnovers…
Exactly…there’s nothing not to love! I know…I’m still dreaming of that turnover, too! Thanks, friend!
Such lovely pics! Very jealous but also happy that you’re having such a lovely fall. I’ve gotta try these onions on EVERYTHING. 🙂
Thank you, Mir…. I remember when I was teaching and the kids were little…it can be a very hectic time, indeed. It does slow down – I promise! 🙂
Such a lovely article to read! It must be really wonderful to have a place that feels like a second home, a retreat, when things get too hectic, or just a place where you can enjoy being with your husband. Fantastic! We also have a place like this here in Austria, but unfortunately we we don’t go there regularly, so it’s not at all like the place you describe here. You’re so lucky, Annie! ? Keep this habit up!
As for your pickled onions, this sounds and looks so tempting! It’s already on my list!
Thanks for sharing all this with us!
All the best, Simone
Awh – thank you so much, my friend. You’ve described LP exactly right…it’s a place for ‘all the things’. I bet your place in Austria is beautiful…. We try to get up there once a month if we can – it’s always the goal. Certainly, now that the kids are older, it’s easier for us to do that. I hope you try the onions…they’re rather good, especially for sandwiches and salads… Have a wonderful day, Simone! 🙂
These pictures are gorgeous! I love pickled onions and feel like they’ve been getting SO popular lately! I definitely need t make them 🙂
Why thank you, Sues!! They are coming into fashion, aren’t they?! Look at me on the cutting edge! 😉 Thank you, my friend!
Ok. I really need to come on vacation with you guys the next time you go to Lake Placid! It’s absolutely stunning and your photos are beautiful! Those pickled onions look pretty tasty too! Pinned!
YES! Just name the date and I’ll plan everything!! Would love that! Too bad you won’t be around this weekend – the town’s hosting their 5th Annual Brewfest! I know you know a thing or two about that! 😉 Thanks, friend!
I went skiing in Lake Placid when I was a teenager but don’t really remember it. It looks like a charming town. Love pickled onions – they are great Added to a sandwich. Also a great way to use up any extra red onion!
They’re perfect for sandwiches, salads, you name it! LP is charming!! If you ever make your way back – let me know!! I won’t ski but I could have the chili ready and waiting! 🙂
As a girl from upstate NY I can appreciate all the beauty in your post. Lovely pics of a lovely place. And I also appreciate the pickled onions! I’m not one for raw onions on my salad or sandwich, but yes to pickled onions on both. And the jalapeño? Hell yes!
Yes! Let’s hear it for upstate NY! Do you ever get back? So, yes, I love onions, any way they’re presented, but, I have to say , the jalapeño is a nice touch!! 🙂
These pickled onions look just beautiful and so do all the wonderful photos of your trip. I just love seeing all the fall colors. I unfortunately became allergic to onions four years ago but they still hold a special place in my heart and I miss them dearly. So eat plenty of these for those who can’t, lol. Take care.
Oh no!!! You know the next time I eat an onion (actually, every time I eat an onion…) I will think of you!! Thanks for your sweetness, my friend! 🙂
We love Lake Placid Annie! We vacationed there with our boys and some friends a few years ago and skied at Whiteface! Such fun! I’d love to go back. These pickled onions look fabulous. I love pickled onions on sandwiches and in my pork carnitas tacos too! I’ll definitely be giving this recipe a try!
Ahhhh! So you know the beauty of Lake Placid! Whiteface is quite the scene, isn’t it? Not only does my family ski it, my guys mountain bike down it… 🙂 Hope you try the onions, my friend! They would be perfect in your pork carnitas tacos!! Thank you!
Sounds like a great place to go to! These onions look delicious! Pinning to try the recipe!
We love LP!! Thanks for pinning, my friend! 🙂
The onions plus jalapeño sounds fantastic. Now, I have a question. Don’t you add any liquid to the jars? I love pickled ginger with my oriental dishes — I wonder if I could use this recipe for pickled ginger. Thank you for sharing. Can’t wait for the salad recipe. Abbracci!
Yep – the little bit of kick that the peppers offer is right on the money! Nope – no additional liquid needed once they’ve rested for a bit… Thanks for your question, my friend!
Annie!! Lake placid looks amazing!! beautiful outdoors and yummy food! I am in!! I love everything that’s pickled and these onions looks just right!! perfect! thanks for sharing!
Isn’t that really all we need? Nature and yummy food?! I say YES! Thank you, my friend!
Ahhhhh…..sounds like (and looks like) such as awesome place! How could you leave? I’d wanna be there all the time! And those Greek wings at that restaurant sounds pretty delicious!! Can’t wait to see your upcoming salad 🙂
These pickled onions come just in time, Annie. We had some red onions growing in our garden and hubby just picked the remainder of them last weekend so this is the perfect use for them! Love the jalapeño in there too. I bet these would be amazing on anything, especially tacos! Pinned, of course. Have a lovely week! xoxo
It’s funny that you mention,’How could we leave?’ We struggle everytime! I can’t tell you the number of weekends we’ve extended our stay one more day! Ooooh – yes – I could see these onions on tacos! YUM! Thanks, dear! xoxo
Lake Placid looks and sounds wonderful, Annie! I’ve never had the pleasure of vacationing there, so it sounds like I need to add it to my list.. along with Lisa Gs! I love these Spicy Pickled Red Onions! The color is just gorgeous and I bet they are a fabulous addition to so many things! Can’t wait to see that salad! Pinned! Cheers, friend! Xo
I can’t oversell Lake Placid enough! It’s a very special place! So happy you love the onions, my dear! Thank you!! Cheers! Xo
I love onions, too! Especially red onions…mmm mmm good! I’ve never tried a pickled version before, but I think I would devour these. Love this different way to prepare it!
If you love red onions then you have to try them! They’re soooo good! Thanks, Gayle!