As I stand in my grandmother's kitchen, surrounded in the aroma of spices and the bright colours of various vegetables laid out before me, I can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia washing over me. Growing up in India, one of my fondest memories is watching my grandmother expertly craft her famous mixed vegetable pickle, a cherished family recipe passed down through generations. Today, I shall take you all on a journey to discovering the secrets of this beloved culinary tradition – the tangy temptations of Indian mixed vegetable pickle.
The allure of this pickle lies not only in its delectable flavours but also in its cultural significance. In Indian households, pickles are more than just condiments; they are an integral part of the dining experience, adding depth and complexity to every meal.
Through this journey, I hope to not only honour my family's culinary heritage but also share the joy of this timeless recipe with others. So, let’s get started!
Ingredients for Mixed Pickle:
- 1 tablespoon mustard seeds (सरसों के बीज)
- 1 teaspoon mustard (राई)
- 1 tablespoon cumin (जीरा)
- 1 tablespoon fennel (सोंफ)
- 2 teaspoon coriander seeds (धनिया के बीज)
- 0.5 teaspoon fenugreek (मेथी)
- 2 cup mustard oil (सरसों का तेल)
- 2 teaspoon mustard (राई)
- 2 teaspoon fennel (सोंफ)
- 0.5 teaspoon fenugreek (मेथी)
- 0.5 teaspoon carom seeds (अजवाइन)
- 0.5 teaspoon asafoetida (हींग)
- 2 tablespoon nigella seeds (कलोन्जी)
- 3 cup radish, chopped (मूली, कटी हुई)
- 3 cup carrot, chopped (गाजर, कटी हुई)
- 8 tablespoon ginger, chopped (अदरक, कटी हुई)
- 30 garlic cloves (लहसुन के फांक)
- 4 tablespoon chilli powder (लाल मिर्च पाउडर)
- 2 teaspoon turmeric (हल्दी)
- 2 tablespoon salt (नमक)
- 4 tablespoon sugar (चीनी)
Recipe (Step by Step)
Gather Ingredients:
Assemble all vegetables (chopped mango, garlic), fruits (quartered limes), spices (black mustard seed, chilli powder, turmeric, fenugreek, salt), and other components (oil, cumin seeds, Kashmiri chilies, curry leaves) beforehand.
Prepare Fruit and Vegetable Base:
In a glass or clay mixing bowl, combine chopped vegetables and fruits. Squeeze lime juice over top. Steam lime quarters in a pan with a steamer for 15 minutes until softened; cut into smaller pieces and add to bowl.
Make Spice Paste:
Using a mortar and pestle, grind 1 tablespoon black mustard seeds into a coarse powder. Mix spice paste containing mustard powder, chilli powder, turmeric, fenugreek and salt. Pour spices over vegetables and fruits in bowl and stir thoroughly to distribute evenly.
Temper the Oil:
Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a small frying pan over high heat until bubbly. Add mustard seeds and reduce heat when popping. Stir in cumin seeds, Kashmiri chilies and curry leaves just until fragrant. Pour spiced oil over vegetable mixture.
Combine and Ferment:
Mix all ingredients very well until vegetables are fully coated in spiced oil. Cover bowl with cling film. Place in sunny spot indoors or outdoors depending on climate and ferment for 3 days, stirring every 8 hours.
Store in a Sterilized Jar:
Transfer pickle to a sterilized, tight-sealing jar. Allow to continue fermenting for at least 1 week prior to first taste. Refrigerate for up to 3 months, keeping vegetables immersed in oil.
Enjoy Your Tangy Temptations:
Once the pickle has matured to your liking, serve it as a flavorful accompaniment to your favourite Indian dishes, such as dal, rice, or flatbreads. Enjoy the tangy, spicy flavours of this homemade delicacy!
Fun Fact: Fenugreek seeds, a key ingredient in this pickle recipe, are known for their distinctive aroma and bitter taste. In traditional Indian medicine, fenugreek is believed to have various health benefits, including aiding digestion and regulating blood sugar levels.
Conclusion
The mixed vegetable Indian pickle is a tangy, salty, sour, and sweet flavor explosion that will uplift any meal. Although making it at home takes time for the fermenting and pickling process, the flavors—which only improve with age—make the wait worthwhile. The pickle complements rich curries, sandwiches, or works magically as a spicy, crunchy snack.
But if the multi-day process seems too daunting, the good news is you can purchase authentic pre-made pickles from Farmdidi that capture all the addictive tastes of homemade. With Farmdidi's mixed veggie pickle that retains the punchy diversity of textures and spices, you can easily incorporate this versatile condiment into Indian cooking.
FAQs: write answers for each one in 60-80 words
1. What Are the Ingredients Needed for Indian Mixed Vegetable Pickle?
Chopped vegetables like carrot, radish, ginger, and garlic, mustard oil, whole spices like fennel and cumin seeds, powdered chilies and turmeric, lime juice, sugar, and salt are the key ingredients that go into a mixed Indian vegetable pickle.
2. What is the Average Shelf Life of an Indian Mixed Pickle?
An unopened Indian mixed vegetable pickle has an average shelf life of up to 1 year if properly stored. Once opened, it will stay fresh for at least 2-3 months in the refrigerator.
3. Can Pickled Vegetables Be Stored in Plastic Containers?
While glass jars are ideal, thoroughly sterilized food-grade plastic containers with tight-fitting lids can be used for storing pickled vegetables for short durations not beyond 6 months but may affect quality over longer periods.
