No meal is complete without a spoonful of the sweet, sour, spicy and mouth watering achaar (pickle). Right from selecting the raw materials to carefully preparing the ingredients, from assembling the pickles to adding spices and then waiting for the pickle to be finally ready, grandmothers take great care while making pickles. A lasting memory of childhood vacations is that of helping our grandmothers make āchār. Those big ceramic jars filled to the brim with fresh pickles sitting under the sun on terraces evoke memories of carefree holidays.
Pickles are created by immersing fresh fruits or vegetables in an acidic liquid or saltwater brine until they are no longer considered raw or vulnerable to spoilage. When we think of pickles, mango & lemon commonly come to mind. During pickling process lactic microbial organisms develop, which turn the naturally occurring sugars of foods into lactic acid. In turn, the environment becomes acidic quickly, making it impossible for any spoiling bacteria to multiply.
Pickles in India are of three basic types: those preserved in vinegar; those preserved in salt; and those preserved in oil. In India, oil is a popular medium used for pickling. The process of pickling is one of the best ways to preserve a food item. Once preserved, the pickled food will not need refrigeration, and so it travels well, making it ideal for long-distance journeys.
Here’s a unique pickle recipe. We have tasted lemon, mango, vegetable, mirchi and so on pickles. But date pickle is very rare and it is the very easy to make at home. Even those who are not good at culinary skills will be able to make this achaar. Try out this . I am sure you will love it.
DATES PICKLE
Ingredients
Apple Cider Vinegar – ½ Cup
Seedless dates – 12-15
Black peppercorns – 15-16
Garam Masala – ½ tsp
Cloves – 2-3
Green Cardamom – 2-3
Method
Wash dates thoroughly. If the dates are with seeds then remove the seeds. Take a bowl and pour apple cider vinegar and remaining ingredients. Mix it thoroughly. Cover it with a lid for hours. Now again mix it properly. Transfer it in a glass bottle.
Enjoy pickled dates. “Let’s make life healthier and happier !”
The writer is Nutritionist and Founder of AAKANKSHA : Desire For Wellness. Contact : 7021648382; http://www.aakankshadfw.com; Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter & Pinterest.