What is giardiniera? A form of hot sauce ?

Per nomivvorous, it is an assortment of pickled vegetables and the term itself is an Italian word.

Yes, it is most definitely Italian.

Giardiniera is a pickled mixed vegetable. It typically has onions, celery, carrots, and cauliflower, along with hot peppers sometimes. I have usually eaten these veggies on an antipasta platter, I think it's an Italian nosh.