Pickled chicories amp up this tuna melt, a lunchtime classic, and are a great use for leftover mixed chicories. The pickles can add a pop of tangy sweetness to salads or be served as a condiment with grilled or roasted meats.

Ingredients

Pickled Chicories

  • 1 pound mixed sturdy chicories (such as Treviso tardivo radicchio)
  • .3333 cup thinly sliced shallot
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 cup rice vinegar
  • ½ cup red wine vinegar
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 1 (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
  • ½ teaspoon black peppercorns
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper

Tuna Salad

  • 1 (5-ounce) can solid white tuna in oil
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh dill
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Pinch of black pepper

Additional Ingredients

  • 4 (1/2-inch-thick) sourdough bread slices
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 8 slices sharp white cheddar cheese

Directions

Make the pickled chicories

  1. Cut chicory leaves crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces; discard woody stems. Place chicory leaves and shallot in a lidded glass jar or ceramic container; set aside. Combine 3 cups water, rice vinegar, red wine vinegar, sugar, salt, ginger, peppercorns, and crushed red pepper in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high, stirring occasionally to dissolve sugar and salt. Remove from heat; let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour. Pour mixture through a fine wire-mesh strainer into a bowl; discard solids. Pour strained liquid over chicory mixture in jar; cover with lid, and seal. Let stand at room temperature about 1 hour. Chill at least 8 hours or overnight or up to 1 week.

Make the tuna salad

  1. Stir together 1/3 cup chopped pickled chicories, 1 teaspoon brine from pickled chicories, tuna, mayonnaise, dill, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl until combined.

  2. Preheat oven to broil with rack 6 inches from heat source. Brush 1 side of each bread slice with oil; arrange bread slices in an even layer, oiled sides up, on a rimmed baking sheet. Broil in preheated oven until toasted, about 3 minutes. Remove from oven; flip bread over. Top each slice with 2 cheese slices. Return to oven; broil until cheese is melted and beginning to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from oven.

  3. Divide tuna salad evenly between 2 toast slices, spreading to edges. Top evenly with 1 tablespoon chopped pickled chicories, and cover with remaining 2 toast slices. Serve immediately.

 

Make Ahead

Pickled chicories can be made up to 1 week ahead and stored in an airtight container in refrigerator.