Lebanese-style turnip and beet pickles

Ingredients

• 3 cups water
• 1/3 cup kosher salt
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 kg turnips , peeled and cut into french-fry sticks
• 1 small beet , peeled and cut into french fry sticks
• 4 garlic cloves , thinly sliced
• 1 red-hot chili , pepper halved and seeds discarded