Zesty Pickled Lettuce

Ingredients

• 1 head of fresh lettuce (preferably butter or romaine, thoroughly washed and dried)
• 1 cup of water (filtered water is recommended)
• 1 cup of white vinegar (or apple cider vinegar for a milder taste)
• 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon of salt (kosher salt is preferred)
• 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes
• 2-3 cloves of garlic, peeled and smashed
• 1 carrot, peeled and julienned
• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced

Instructions

1. Begin by preparing the pickling brine. In a medium saucepan, combine the water, white vinegar, sugar, salt, and crushed red pepper flakes. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar and salt dissolve.
2. Remove the brine from heat and let it cool for about 10-15 minutes until it reaches room temperature.
3. While the brine cools, prepare the lettuce. Separate the leaves and cut them into bite-sized pieces or leave them whole.
4. In a clean, sterilized glass jar, layer the lettuce with the julienned carrots and sliced cucumber, placing the smashed garlic cloves amid the vegetables.
5. Pour the cooled pickling brine over the vegetables, ensuring they are fully submerged.
6. Seal the jar tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. For optimal flavor, allow the lettuce to pickle for 24 hours before using.
7. After pickling, your Zesty Pickled Lettuce is ready to be enjoyed!