Indian cuisine has one of the widest varieties in pickle-based recipes, probably because of our centuries-old tradition of using pickles.
Traditional Indian Pickles
Indians have been making and eating pickles for over 4000 years. There are many traditional Indian pickles like mango pickle, lemon pickle, chili pickle, ginger pickle, carrot pickle, onion pickle, etc. The following are five traditional Indian pickles:
1. Mango pickle (Aam ka achar)
Mangoes are called the king of fruits. And mango pickles or aam ka achar may as well be king of pickles. The earliest known mention of mango pickles in India is older than Jesus and Budha. The traditional way of creating mango pickles by mixing species (common salt, red pepper, turmeric, etc.) as per taste is added to mangoes. Enough mustard oil is added so that the mixture is drowned in it. Leave the solution in sunlight for a minimum of two weeks and a maximum of one month. Stir the solution every week until it is prepared. one can buy the mixture of spices needed to make mango pickles from the market or prepare it at home.
2. Lemon pickle (Nimbo ka achar)
Indians have also traditionally loved lemon pickles or Nimbo ka achar. Lemons pickles take longer than mango pickles to ferment, and it may take between two to three months to have them ready to serve. They can be made sweet (using sugar, jaggery powder, etc.), sour or salty as you wish. They are a good source of vitamin C, are great for digestion, and can even help lose weight.
3. Red chili pickle (Lal Mirch ka achar)
Red chili pickles or lal mirch ka achar can be made using a prime (sirka) or using mustard oil. Another pickle that has been used for centuries in India, the pickle, continues to be popular in the Indian population because of its ability to spice up any other item it may take along with.
4. Ginger pickle (Adrak ka achar)
Ginger pickle or adrak ka achar is another commonly used pickle in India with a rich tradition of use in the country. Its unique taste makes it an incredible pleasure to many people. While making them ginger pickle, one should cut the slices of ginger thin for the best effect.
5. Carrot pickle (Gajjar ka achar)
Last on our list of pickles is carrot pickle or gajar ka achar. It is good for your eyes, skin, and teeth as they are rich in Vitamin A. Make sure to buy them in the season when they are fresh.
The above list contains only some of the pickles that have been traditionally used in India, and there are over a thousand recipes made by using pickles.
FAQs
There are several frequently asked questions relating to pickles. These include:
Question: Are pickles good for my health?
Answer – pickles have several amazing health effects and some harmful effects.
Sound health effects of pickles include their beneficial effects on the digestive system, usefulness in losing weight, and their beneficial effects for people with diabetes.
The harmful effects of pickles result from their high sodium content. Since common salt is used in all pickle recipes, pickles tend to contain high sodium. Too much sodium intake might have harmful for your body, and it can weaken the bones rendering them vulnerable to several health conditions. It can also be harmful if you have blood pressure problems.
Pickles are best taken in very moderate amounts – more as an added flavoring rather than the main course items. If taken in reasonable quantities, their side effects will continue to below.
If you have some pre-existing health conditions or allergies, or sensitive health, it is highly recommended that you consult a physician before making any dietary changes. All that said, one can, however, be sure that pickles are more good than bad when taken in moderate amounts.
Question – what are some of the tips for making pickles?
Answer – The following are some of the fantastic tips for making pickles at home:
- One should use sterilized jars while pickling.
- Make use only of fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits. Not only will it save you from bad health consequences, but fresher fruits and vegetables result in crunchier pickles.
- Be careful with the amount of salt you use. Too much salt will make pickles rich in sodium which has terrible consequences. Yet it should be enough to draw the water from fruits and vegetables to preserve pickles for a long time.
- Prime or Sirka of different products, including sugarcane, apple, etc., can be used while making pickles.
- One can use vinegar of different flavors to add new twists.
- Cleanliness is important. It is highly recommended to wipe the rim of the jar clean every time you close it.
Keeping the above tips in mind can help make delicious and nutrition-rich pickles.
Question: What are tips for buying pickles from the market?
Answer – while buying pickles from the market, make sure that you read the labels on jars carefully. Check the nutritional value to ensure that it has desired nutrients. You also want to go for pickles rich in vinegar and low in sodium.
Question – What are some of the nutrients present in pickles?
Answer: Pickles are a good source of vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K. They are also essential minerals like potassium and phosphorus. The requirements of these nutrients are challenging to meet with staple food items available in India, and however, you can easily avail them using pickles.
They also have beneficial bacteria that can help you improve your gut health, improve gut health, and help reduce symptoms relating to psychological problems like depression and anxiety. They also have antioxidants that can help reduce the number of radicals in the body that cause damage to cells; thus, they can help reduce cell damage.
Wrapping things up
From the above discussion, One can conclude that India’s tradition of using pickles is centuries old, and it will always be like that.
