Instant Mixed Vegetable Pickle Recipe
Pickles hold a special place in Indian cuisine, often adding a burst of flavor to a meal. While traditional pickles can take weeks or even months to prepare, Instant Mixed Vegetable Pickle offers a refreshing and speedy alternative. This tangy, spicy pickle combines a variety of vegetables and aromatic spices, resulting in a vibrant addition to your meals. The best part? Itβs quick to prepare, requiring only a few hours of marination to achieve a rich and tangy taste.
Cuisine: Indian
Course: Appetizer
Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Raw Mango | 3, diced into 1/2 centimeter cubes |
| Carrot (Gajjar) | 100 grams, diced into 1/2 centimeter cubes |
| Green Beans (French Beans) | 100 grams, chopped similarly |
| Ginger | 3-inch piece, finely chopped |
| Garlic | 20 cloves |
| Ginger (for marinating paste) | 3-inch piece |
| Whole Black Peppercorns | 1 tablespoon |
| Poppy Seeds | 2 tablespoons |
| Cashew Nuts | 50 grams |
| Coriander (Dhania) Leaves | Small bunch |
| Mint Leaves (Pudina) | Small bunch |
| Lemons | 3, juiced |
| Green Chillies | 20, chopped |
| Turmeric Powder (Haldi) | 1 teaspoon |
| Asafoetida (Hing) | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Salt | To taste |
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Instructions
-
Preparation of Vegetables:
Begin by cleaning and drying all the vegetables on a kitchen towel. Once dry, finely chop the mango, carrots, and green beans into small pieces, approximately 1/2 centimeter in size. Add them to a large mixing bowl. -
Seasoning the Vegetables:
To the chopped vegetables, add the juice of one lemon and a teaspoon of salt. Toss the vegetables well to coat them evenly with the salt and lemon juice. This step helps in softening the vegetables and marinating them slightly. -
Making the Marinating Paste:
In a small mixing jar, combine the ingredients for the marinating paste: garlic, ginger, black peppercorns, poppy seeds, cashew nuts, coriander leaves, mint leaves, lemon juice, green chillies, turmeric powder, and asafoetida. Grind these ingredients into a smooth paste using a grinder. Do not add water; the oils from the ingredients should be enough to form a paste. -
Combining the Paste with Vegetables:
Once your paste is ready, mix it thoroughly with the seasoned vegetables. Ensure all the vegetables are evenly coated with the aromatic paste. -
Marination Time:
Let the mixture sit for at least 2 hours, allowing the flavors to meld together. This pickle will become more flavorful as it sits. -
Storage:
Store the Instant Mixed Vegetable Pickle in an airtight container and refrigerate it to keep it fresh. It will stay good for up to a week or even a fortnight, depending on storage conditions. -
Serving Suggestions:
Serve the Instant Mixed Vegetable Pickle as a side dish with curd rice for a comforting, tangy, and flavorful meal. Its rich taste pairs beautifully with a simple rice dish, adding zest and spice to your meal.
Allergen Information
- Contains nuts: Cashew nuts are included in the marinating paste.
- Contains mustard seeds: Though not listed in the ingredients, mustard seeds may be used in some variations of this recipe.
- Contains spices: Black pepper, turmeric, and asafoetida may not be suitable for individuals with allergies or sensitivities to certain spices.
Dietary Preferences
- Vegetarian: This recipe is entirely plant-based, making it suitable for vegetarians.
- Gluten-Free: The ingredients listed are naturally gluten-free.
- Vegan-Friendly: No animal products are used in this recipe, making it suitable for vegans.
- Nut-Free Variation: If you have nut allergies, you can omit the cashew nuts or substitute them with seeds such as sunflower or pumpkin seeds.
Advice
- Spice Level: The number of green chillies in the recipe contributes a significant amount of heat. Feel free to adjust the quantity of green chillies according to your preferred spice level.
- Storage: Make sure to store the pickle in a clean, airtight container and refrigerate it at all times to preserve its freshness and flavor.
- Taste Development: Like many Indian pickles, this recipe tastes even better as it ages. The longer it sits, the more the flavors will develop and deepen.
- Acidity: The acidity from the lemon juice helps in preserving the vegetables while enhancing the overall flavor profile of the pickle.
Conclusion
Instant Mixed Vegetable Pickle is a fantastic way to add a burst of flavor to your meals without the long wait typically associated with pickles. Itβs a versatile and quick recipe, perfect for those who want to enjoy homemade pickle with minimal effort. The combination of fresh vegetables, spices, and tangy lemon juice makes this pickle an irresistible accompaniment to a wide range of dishes. Whether paired with rice or added to your favorite Indian meal, this pickle is sure to elevate your culinary experience.
