Returning to blogging & especially to Blogging Marathon after a long break, I have chosen condiments for this week. The first of these is a family favourite – almost like an heirloom recipe. Gooseberry pickle or Nellikayi Urga (or uppinakayi as its called in Kannada) is a favourite with my sister especially.
I am grateful that I live in a city where this wonder food is available almost 8-10 months in a year. We generally make nelli Pachadi (yoghurt based dip) , Quick Amla Pickle, Sugarfree Amla Mocktail. Today’s pickle is not quite instant but develops an intense taste and flavour after sitting for more than a week.
Prep time : 15 mins, Makes : approx 200 gms of pickle
Keeps for 6-8 months under refrigeration
Ingredients:
- Amla / Nellikai / Gooseberry – 200 gms (or about 8 large gooseberries)
- Salt – about 50-60 gms (approx)
- Red chilly powder – 20-25 gms
- turmeric powder – 1/2 tsp
- Asafoetida – a generous pinch (about 1/4 tsp) – skip for GF version
- Oil – 4 TBSP
- Methi seeds / vendhayam – 2 tsp
- Mustard seeds – 2 tsp
- Lemon juice – 1/4 cup
Method:
- Wash and pat dry the amla.
- In a steamer, steam the whole gooseberries for 6-7 mins till just soft but not mushy. Drain the water if any. Let it dry for 1 hour on a sterile plate.
- In a pan, heat oil, splutter mustard seeds & methi seeds, once they crackle, switch off the heat.
- Add the turmeric & asafoetida. Add the gooseberries, mix gently. this mixing would gently break the gooseberries into small chunks. Cook for 2-3 mins in the retentive heat.
- Now add the red chilli powder and mix gently. Slowly add the lemon juice and mix well.
- Transfer to sterile glass jar and keep aside for a wekk, stirring it twice everyday with a clean & dry wooden spoon.
- Serve as required using a sterile clean spoon everytime.
Amlas are so healthy , one must incorporate them in daily diet . A pickle with it sounds delicious . The interesting part is that this berry doesn't loose its goodness by boiling or cooking . Great pick .
Wow! This pickle looks so good. My mom used to make a similar pickle, but somehow I have stopped making them. I am just drooling here looking at that awesome pickle..
droolicious kalyani, i totally love this pickle. we do get good gooseberries here, apart from eating one raw everyday, i enjoy it as pickle too!
i love amlas in any form. This pickle looks inviting..
When I was small I loved to drink water after having raw amla. somehow it made the water taste sweet..l
Love the gooseberry pickle.. its very healthy and fiber rich ingredient for body and skin both.
Slurp slurp, lipsmacking here. Just love this fingericking pickle, fantastic.
I love to eat this as such, and pickling it must make it more interesting!..very nice condiment!
drooling and lip smacking. Sema pickle and welcome back Kalyani.
I miss fresh amlas a lot. I make a similar pickle with frozen ones.
Simply delicious.. Couldn't stop drooling at it!!
I've never made alma pickle though I love it. I've bookmarked your recipe to try it when I can get some good amla.
spicy and tangy for sure
Drooling here. In my place it may last 1 week.