Sausage With Charred Cabbage and Giardiniera

If you’re still unfamiliar with giardiniera, Chicago's most cherished condiment second only to their neon green relish, you’re seriously missing out. Here the beloved Midwest condiment of pickled veggies in a punchy-hot brine does double duty: The vegetables get finely chopped and tossed with charred cabbage, lending pops of crunchy confetti throughout. And even more importantly, the brine gets transformed into a zesty vinaigrette that cloaks charred cabbage in a tangy, spicy sheen. Topped with sliced Italian sausage and plenty of basil, the giardiniera amps up an otherwise straightforward dish.

When shopping for this recipe, make sure to grab Italian-style (vinegar-based) giardiniera, not Chicago-style. The latter is typically chopped much finer and includes oil, causing this dish to turn out a bit too slick.