Pikliz is a type of pickled slaw served as a condiment in Haiti consisting of shredded cabbage, carrots, onions, and scotch bonnet peppers served on a vinegar-based brine. It is traditionally served as a side dish with many Haitian meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and it’s particularly popular served with meat.
Origin & Cultural Significance
Pikliz originates from Haiti and is one of the country’s most popular condiments. The name comes from the French word for ‘pickle’ as the ingredients are pickled in vinegar. Pickling is one of the world’s oldest forms of food preservation, and the practice is thought to have been introduced by European settlers to the country – combining traditional Haitian ingredients with European methods.
The side dish is often served with greasy foods, helping to cut through fat or grease in a variety of dishes – particularly griot (fried pork), tassot (fried beef), or bannann peze (fried plantains). The condiment is traditionally made at home, with each family having their own recipe – however, it is becoming increasingly popular on a commercial scale – especially outside of Haiti.
Pikliz is popular both with locals and with visitors to the country and is served in many traditional restaurants across the country.
Haitian Pikliz
Pikliz is a type of pickled slaw served as a condiment in Haiti. The slaw consists of shredded cabbage, carrots, onions, and scotch bonnet peppers served on a vinegar-based brine.
Ingredients
- Green cabbage (thinly shredded) - 1/2 head
- Carrots (julienned) - 2
- Onion (thinly sliced) - 1
- Scotch bonnet peppers (thinly sliced) - 2
- White vinegar - 1 cup
- Water - 1/2 cup
- Salt - 1 tbsp
- Black peppercorns - 1 tsp
- Garlic cloves (smashed) - 2
- Thyme - 2 sprigs
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, julienned carrots, sliced onion, and sliced Scotch bonnet peppers.
- In a saucepan, combine white vinegar, water, salt, black peppercorns, smashed garlic cloves, and thyme. Bring to a boil.
- Pour the hot vinegar mixture over the vegetables in the bowl. Stir to combine.
- Let the Pikliz mixture cool to room temperature, then transfer it to a clean jar or container.
- Seal the jar or container and refrigerate for at least 24 hours before serving to allow the flavors to develop.
- Serve Pikliz as a condiment alongside your favorite Haitian dishes.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 208Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 3548mgCarbohydrates: 32gFiber: 9gSugar: 14gProtein: 6g
Nutrition is provided and calculated by Nutritionix. It is for general information purposes and is only a rough estimation.