Pickled Shrimp and Vegetables

A vibrant and flavorful dish of shrimp and fresh vegetables pickled in a zesty marinade of lemon, white wine vinegar, and aromatic spices. Perfect as an appetizer or light meal, this recipe combines the sweetness of Vidalia onions and fennel with succulent shrimp.

8 servings
8 hr 45 min

Ingredients

  • 4 whole lemons
  • 2 cups white-wine vinegar
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • ½ teaspoon dried hot red-pepper flakes
  • 4 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 4 tablespoons pickling spices
  • 2 tablespoons fennel seeds
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 2 leaves bay leaves
  • 1 bulb fennel
  • 3 ribs celery
  • 1 whole sweet onion
  • 3 lb shrimp
  • 1 cup flat-leaf parsley

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Finely grate 3 tablespoons lemon zest using small holes of a box grater, then squeeze 3/4 cup juice from lemons. Transfer zest and juice to a large bowl and add vinegar, oil, sugar, red-pepper flakes, 2 tablespoons kosher salt, 2 tablespoons pickling spices, 1 tablespoon fennel seeds, and two thirds of garlic, whisking until combined well.

    10 min

  2. 2.

    Bring a 6- to 8-quart pot of water to a boil with remaining 2 tablespoons kosher salt, 2 tablespoons pickling spices, 1 tablespoon fennel seeds, remaining one third of garlic, and bay leaves.

    15 min

  3. 3.

    Meanwhile, quarter fennel bulb lengthwise and cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Add sliced fennel to boiling water and cook, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes, then transfer with a slotted spoon to marinade. Return water to a boil, then add celery and cook, stirring occasionally, 1 minute. Transfer celery with a slotted spoon to marinade. Return water to a boil, then add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, 2 minutes. Transfer onion with a slotted spoon to marinade. Return water to a boil and cook shrimp, stirring occasionally, until just cooked through (no longer translucent inside), about 1 1/2 minutes, then transfer with a slotted spoon to marinade. Stir shrimp and vegetables until coated well.

    20 min

  4. 4.

    When shrimp and vegetables have cooled to room temperature, transfer to a large airtight container and marinate, chilled, stirring once or twice, until shrimp is pickled and flavors have developed, at least 8 hours. Season with salt and pepper and transfer shrimp and vegetables to a platter with a slotted spoon and drizzle shrimp with some of marinade. Stir in parsley just before serving.

    480 min

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