Pickled Mushrooms with Garlic and Herbs

Use as many varieties of mushrooms as you can find for the best flavor and texture.

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  6 cups mixed mushrooms (such as maitake, enoki, oyster, cremini, shiitake, and royal trumpet), washed, trimmed, and if large, halved or separated into smaller sections
  
  


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  4 sprigs fresh thyme
  
  


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  1 cup white wine vinegar
  
  


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  3 Tbs. olive oil
  
  


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  1 Tbs. granulated sugar
  
  


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  10 whole peppercorns
  
  


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  1 dried bay leaf
  
  


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  1 large clove garlic, slivered
  
  


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  1 small dried hot red chile (about 2 inches long)
  
  


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  Kosher salt
  
  

Bring an 8-quart pot of water to a boil. Immerse a quart-size canning jar, lid, and band in the water and boil for 10 minutes to sterilize. With tongs, transfer to a clean dishtowel to drain.


Boil the mushrooms in the water until tender, 10 minutes. Drain and pack them into the jar along with the thyme sprigs.


In a small saucepan, bring the vinegar, oil, sugar, peppercorns, bay leaf, garlic, chile, 1 Tbs. salt, and 1/2 cup water to a boil over medium heat. Pour the mixture over the mushrooms until it reaches the top of the jar. Screw on the lid, cool to room temperature, and refrigerate for 3 days before using. The mushrooms will keep in the refrigerator for at least 2 weeks.