Traditional Balkan Winter Pickle Recipe

Every home cook in the Balkans knows that šarena salata — a colorful mix of pickled vegetables — is a must-have in the pantry when winter comes.
It’s a vibrant, crunchy salad made with cabbage, peppers, cucumbers, carrots, cauliflower, and green tomatoes, all preserved in a tangy-sweet brine. This traditional pickle is the perfect quick side dish for roasted meats, sandwiches, or festive tables.

Make a few large jars, and you’ll always have a delicious, ready-to-serve salad — especially handy during holidays and family gatherings.

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🥕 Ingredients

Makes 3 large 4-liter jars

Vegetables:

• 1 large head of cabbage
  
• 3 large red bell peppers
  
• 3 large yellow bell peppers
  
• 1 kg cucumbers
  
• 1 kg cauliflower
  
• ½ kg green tomatoes
  
• ½ kg carrots
  

For the Brine:

• 4 L water
  
• 1 L white vinegar
  
• 250 g salt
  
• 250 g sugar
  
• 1 tbsp pickling spice mix
  

Pickling Spice includes:
Mustard seed, black peppercorns, bay leaves, dill seed, coriander seed, cloves.
This aromatic blend infuses the vegetables with warm, tangy, and slightly sweet notes — the signature flavor of traditional Balkan-style pickles.

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🥬 Preparation

1. Wash all the vegetables thoroughly.
   
2. Shred the cabbage, slice the red and yellow peppers into strips, and cut cucumbers, carrots, and green tomatoes into rounds. Break the cauliflower into small florets.
   
3. Mix all the vegetables together in a large bowl. The mixture should be about ⅔ cabbage and ⅓ other vegetables.
   
4. In a pot, combine cold water, vinegar, salt, sugar, and pickling spice. Stir until the salt and sugar dissolve.
   
5. Pack the vegetables tightly into sterilized jars, pressing down as you fill them. The vegetables must be fully covered with the brine, and tightly packed so they don’t float. Use a plastic weight or press to keep them submerged.
   
6. Leave the jars at room temperature for 24 hours. Check the next day and top up with more brine if needed.
   
7. Close tightly and store in a cool, dark place for at least 15 days before serving.
   

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🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Serve šarena salata as a cold side dish with roasted meats, grilled sausages, or Balkan-style roasts (pečenje). It’s also perfect with bread and cheese for a simple, rustic meal.

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🫙 Storage Tips

Store jars in a cool, dark pantry or cellar. Once opened, keep refrigerated and consume within 2 weeks.

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💡 Variations & Substitutions

• Add sliced onions or hot peppers for extra flavor.
  
• Substitute white vinegar with apple cider vinegar for a milder tang.
  
• Use red cabbage for a beautiful color variation.
  
• Add celery root or green beans for more texture.
  

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❓ FAQ

Q: How long does it last?
A: Unopened jars can last up to a year if stored properly in a cool place.

Q: My vegetables floated—what should I do?
A: Use a plastic weight or press to keep them submerged in the brine.

Q: Can I reduce sugar or salt?
A: Yes, but it may slightly affect preservation and taste.

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This Mixed Pickled Vegetable Salad (Šarena Salata) is a beautiful celebration of color and flavor, bringing the taste of summer to your winter table. Crunchy, tangy, and versatile — it’s the perfect addition to any traditional meal.

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Šarena Salata (Mešana Zimnica)

Tradicionalna Balkanska Salata za Zimnicu

Sve domaćice koje spremaju zimnicu znaju da je šarena salata nezaobilazna.
Bogata raznovrsnim povrćem, kiselkastog i osvežavajućeg ukusa, ova salata je odličan izbor za brzinski prilog uz pečenje, meso ili sendviče. Napravite veću količinu, jer šarenu salatu možete služiti i na slavama i porodičnim ručkovima.

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🥕 Sastojci

Za 3 velike tegle (4 litre)

Povrće:

• 1 velika glavica kupusa
  
• 3 velike crvene paprike
  
• 3 velike žute paprike
  
• 1 kg krastavčića
  
• 1 kg karfiola
  
• ½ kg zelenog paradajza
  
• ½ kg šargarepe
  

Za preliv:

• 4 l vode
  
• 1 l sirćeta
  
• 250 g soli
  
• 250 g šećera
  
• 1 kašika začina za turšiju (pickling spice)
  

Pickling spice sadrži:
Zrno slačice, biber u zrnu, lovorov list, seme kopra, korijander i karanfilić.
Ova mešavina daje poseban aromatičan miris i bogat ukus svakoj turšiji.

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🥬 Priprema

1. Dobro operite sve povrće.
   
2. Kupus izrendajte, paprike isecite na trake, a krastavce, šargarepu i zeleni paradajz na kolutove. Karfiol razdvojite na cvetove.
   
3. Sve povrće izmešajte u velikoj posudi (oko ⅔ kupusa i ⅓ ostalog povrća).
   
4. U šerpi pomešajte hladnu vodu, sirće, so, šećer i začin. Mešajte dok se so i šećer ne rastope.
   
5. Povrće složite u sterilisane tegle, dobro pritisnite da ne ostane vazduha i prelijte tečnošću da sve bude pokriveno. Koristite plastični pritiskač da povrće ne ispliva.
   
6. Ostavite tegle 24 sata na sobnoj temperaturi. Sutradan po potrebi dodajte još tečnosti.
   
7. Zatvorite dobro i čuvajte na hladnom i tamnom mestu najmanje 15 dana pre upotrebe.
   

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🍽️ Predlozi za Služenje

Poslužite uz pečenje, kobasice, roštilj ili kao prilog uz svako jelo. Odlična je i uz sir i domaći hleb.

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🫙 Čuvanje

Tegle držite na hladnom i tamnom mestu. Otvorene čuvajte u frižideru i potrošite u roku od 2 nedelje.

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💡 Varijacije i Zamene

• Dodajte crni luk ili ljute papričice za intenzivniji ukus.
  
• Umesto belog sirćeta koristite jabukovo za blaži ukus.
  
• Crveni kupus daje prelepu boju.
  
• Možete dodati celer ili boraniju.
  

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❓ Najčešća Pitanja

Koliko dugo traje?
Neotvorene tegle mogu trajati i do godinu dana ako se pravilno čuvaju.

Povrće mi pliva – šta da radim?
Koristite plastični pritiskač da ostane potopljeno.

Mogu li smanjiti količinu šećera ili soli?
Može, ali može uticati na trajnost i ukus.

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Šarena salata je pravi klasik svake zimnice — šarena, hrskava i osvežavajuća. Donosi letnje boje i ukuse i u najhladnije dane!