Fast-Pickled Green Beans

¾ cup white balsamic or cider vinegar

⅓ cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 large shallot, sliced

½ teaspoon allspice

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

Pinch red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon yellow mustard seeds, lightly crushed

¼ teaspoon dill seeds, lightly crushed

1 pound green beans, trimmed

In a medium saucepan over medium-high, combine the vinegar, sugar, salt, shallot, allspice, black pepper, red pepper flakes, mustard seeds and dill seeds. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the green beans and simmer for another 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Once cooled, the green beans can be jarred (with some of the liquid) and refrigerated for up to 5 days.

Serves four.

Nutrition values per serving: 50 calories, 0 fat (0 saturated), 14 g carbohydrates, 4 g fiber, 9 g sugar, 1 g protein, 0 cholesterol, 170 mg sodium.

Alison Ladman for The Associated Press