Sichuan-Inspired Pickled Vegetables

At first glance I didn’t think I’d enjoy these since I don’t care for many savory recipes that call for star anise and cinnamon, but this was an exception and I’m glad I forged ahead and tried them. The ginger and pepper (I used Aleppo pepper since I didn’t have any of the others suggested) gave them a nice touch and I enjoyed them with the Chinese dinner we made to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Many in my family didn’t enjoy them so I guess these aren’t for everyone’s taste. My mother-in-law really enjoyed them, though. My son said he would’ve liked the radishes if I’d omitted the sugar, but I think that’d really make them too sour since I thought they were tart as is. I’ll be making these again for those of us who did enjoy them.