Green Bean Recipe Help Needed

[livin]

I tried a few spicy green beans from the olive bar at Whole Foods today and they were sooo good. I tried to google the recipe (assuming it to be raw) and found a recipe for "Pickled Cajun Green Beans & Carrots" at the Whole Foods site. Perfect. Cajun is what I'm used to and what I love!

However, the recipe calls for sugar, white vinegar and cooking the beans in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then heating for for another 2-3 minutes before refridgerating in a jar for 24 hours.
Question:
I know I can substitute ACV, but I wonder what I can substitute for 1/3 cup of sugar and how long it would need to marinade without heating.
Any ideas? Or maybe another recipe for spicy green beans?

[KPainter]

What about agave? I used to make a giardiniera (Italian pickled veg for antipasto) that didn't use any sugar, just good vinegar, garlic and herbs. Traditionally, the vinegar and spices are heated to boiling and poured over the vegetables, but I never did. I just mixed it all up in a bowl and let it sit in the fridge. I'd say at least overnight, but a day or two would probably be better.

[Ilse W.]

I pickle all my vegetables the same way I do sauerkraut and pickles: in salt water. I also pickled sliced jalapenos that way last summer. They turned out great! Just put your green beans into a mason jar, put in whatever spices you want along with some salt (I would start with maybe 3 teaspoons or so, fill up with water, cover with some cheese cloth and let sit on your kitchen counter for a few days (my pickles took about 4-5 days). Then put a lid on the jar and refrigerate. I make sure that I fill the jar to the top with liquid to eliminate most of the oxygen. You might do a search for pickles to get a little more info. I really don't think you can do it wrong.
I have a gallon jar of kimchi in my refrigerator right now, a gallon jar of sauerkraut, and 4 qt. jars of jalapenos. I wish I still had some of the pickles, they were soooo good. I have to find me another refrigertor somewhere before next summer just to hold my pickled veggies.

[livin]

Thanks KPainter & EmmaT. Now I wish I had just bought the green beans while I was at the store. I'll go buy some and give this a try.

BTW: Tried to find mason jars in 2 Wal Marts last week and was told they are only stocked during summer. I thought that was strange. Good thing I already have some jars on hand.

[ginadj]

Ilse thanks for the explanation, I remember reading you did this in another thread but I was a bit confused - now I think I can Pickle!! Would love to do jalepenos, I just love them on on my salads!!!! how did you know they were ready? to go in the fridge? by taste?

[KPainter]

For mason jars, try a hardware store or Michael's crafts. Michael's always has mason jars.

[jacsam]

Most grocery stores sell mason jars. It's usually in the section that has supplies for making jam/jelly and bottling supplies. Walmart might sell them only in the canning season but our local grocery store has them all year round.

[jacsam]

I made a recipe that used asparagus and a sauce on top. Then you put it in the dehydrator for several hours and it really softened the asparagus. It was delicious....next time I would just put a little evoo and some seasoning on it.