Chicago Style Giardiniera

As I can't get this in the store, I made some myself. It's decent though it can be bettered, mostly by using different peppers than I had (jalapenos and some smaller bell peppers, I want to switch to serranos).

All vegetables should be cut up into small pieces.

1 cup cauliflower
1/4 cup onion
1 cup hot peppers
4 cloves garlic, minced (or use garlic powder)
2 medium carrots
2 sticks celery
2 tbsp red pepper flake
1 cup olive oil (as needed)
1/2 cup salt
1/2 cup green olives with pimento
water (as needed)
your favorite dried Italian herbs

Combine all cauliflower, onion, peppers, carrots, and celery and the salt in a large mixing bowl. Cover with water and allow to stand for at least three hours in a cool place. Drain and rinse. Pack the vegetables and remaining ingredients in a lidded jar and cover with olive oil. Allow to stand for another day and then refrigerate for storage and use.

Makes a nice side condiment or an ingredient in a Chicago style Italian beef sandwich.