Spicy Celery Quick Pickle Sticks

• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 4 garlic cloves, smashed
• 1 tablespoon mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
• 1 tablespoon cracked peppercorns
• 8 large celery stalks, peeled and cut into pieces (see note)

1. Bring the vinegar, sugar, and salt to a boil in a small saucepan. Stir until sugar and salt are dissolved. Remove from heat and add garlic, mustard seed, peppercorns, chili flakes.
2. Place the celery pieces in a large bowl (preferably glass or ceramic) and pour the vinegar mixture over it. Stir to combine spices. Make sure all the pieces are submerged in the brine. Allow to cool completely (at least a couple hours) before serving.
3. If you would like to make longer stalks into pickles, you can cut them to the length of the tallest wide-mouthed Mason jar you have. Stand them upright in the jar and pour the brine over them. Cover tightly. As the pickles cool, you may have to shake the jar (carefully!) to distribute the spices and brine.

white vinegar, sugar, salt, garlic, mustard seeds, red chili flakes, celery stalks

Taken from food52.com/recipes/16540-spicy-celery-quick-pickle-sticks (may not work)