Ingredients

1 pound sweet or mild mini bell peppers, sliced crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick rounds, seeded

2 large shallots, thinly sliced, separated into rings

2 cups red wine vinegar

1/2 cup sugar

3 tablespoons water

5 fresh thyme sprigs

2 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced

1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper

Pinch of coarse kosher salt

Preparation

Mix vinegar and next 6 ingredients in medium saucepan. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar and salt. Remove brine from heat; carefully pour over peppers and shallots. Cover bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Uncover; cool to room temperature. Transfer to quart-size jar, pressing peppers into brine. Cover; chill at least 4 hours and up to 10 days.