Pickling is a process by which perishable food can be preserved for longer duration. Vegetables are preserved by mixing them with Brine, Vinegar or with mixture of vegetable oil, spices and herbs. Some type of vegetables which contain sufficient moisture can produce pickling Brine when placed after mixing with salt while others are pickled after mixing them with Vinegar or vegetable oil.
To make delectable pickles it is recommended that you follow age old method of fermenting the vegetable with vegetable oil, spices and herbs. This process arouses the flavor of all the ingredients and brings out their best taste. Mango and Lemon are two most commonly used and popular pickles found in almost every kitchen of India. To make scrumptious Mango pickles just follow these simple steps. Take 5-6 small or medium sized unripe fresh Mangoes, 1 ½ tablespoon of coarsely grounded Fenugreek seeds, 1 ½ – 2 tablespoon of coarsely grounded Mustard seeds, 2 tablespoons of coarsely grounded Fennel seeds, 1 ½ tablespoons of Nigella seeds, 1 – 1 ½ tablespoon of Turmeric powder, 1-1 ½ tablespoon of Red Chili powder, Salt as required and Mustard oil.
Wash the Mangoes and wipe them with a clean cotton cloth or towel so that there is no water on their skin. Cut them into small pieces and keep them in a flat utensil. Add all the spices, salt and powders and mix them well so that spices cover all the Mango pieces completely. For added taste and flavor add a teaspoon of Achar Masala with spices. Keep this mixture in Sun for 3-4 days; cover it with a sieve or Muslin cloth to avoid dust from falling in. Now take a ceramic jar with a lid, wash it nicely with hot water to sterilize it and wipe it completely. Make sure that even moisture is not present in the jar.
Put the dried Mango-spice mixture in this jar and add mustard oil. If you want tingling taste and pungent smell in the pickle add cold Mustard oil but if you want less pungency warm the oil a bit before adding it to the mixture. Just add Mustard oil in enough quantity so that it overflows the mixture by an inch. Let this mixture sit for 4-5 days in a cool place with lid on. After this duration your Mango pickle is ready for use. For instant Pickles you can use mixture of warm Mustard oil, salt and Achar masala and let the mixture sit for few hours. This process will also give you delicious and spicy pickles in a short time.
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