Amla Pickle refers to a spicy and tangy condiment and a South Indian specialty which is famous all over India. The pickle can be prepared in several ways, with the difference being in terms of ingredients used; however, the main ingredient, “amla”, also known as Indian gooseberry, remains common in all recipes. The pickle is normally consumed as a side dish and is often served with traditional Indian dishes and is considered to be a purely vegan item.
Amla Pickle Recipe- Ingredients Used and Preparation Overview
The basic recipe involves the use of amla, mustard seeds, turmeric powder, asafoetida, oil and green chillies. In order to prepare the pickle of Indian gooseberry (amla), the Indian gooseberries are first steamed in a cooker and blended with green chilies, after which they are fried in the oil, simultaneously being coated with the assorted spices in it.
Indian Gooseberry Pickle Variations
Apart from the basic amla pickle recipe discussed above, there are several variations of the pickle, a couple of which are discussed below:
- In one of the variations, sliced pieces of Indian gooseberry are mixed with turmeric powder and salt, placed in glass bottle and preserved for three days, while making sure to toss the glass bottle daily. Thereafter, some oil is heated, and sea salt, red chilli powder, mustard powder, and turmeric powder are added to it and the mixture is stirred well. After that, the pieces of amla are taken out form the glass bottle and mixed with blend of spices, while discarding the liquid left behind in glass bottle. In a pan, oil is taken, and asafetida is added to it, to which the amla mixture is added. The amla pickle is now stored in porcelain bottles and kept in sun for a few days before consuming
.
- In another variation of the pickle, the spices that are used consist of fenugreek seeds, fennel seeds, nigella seeds, chilli powder, asafetida, salt, and turmeric powder, which are fried in mustard oil, combined with cooked amlas, and the prepared pickle is placed in sunlight for four to five days before consumption.
Health Benefits of Indian Gooseberry Pickle
Amla pickle is considered to be a healthy condiment, because it contains all the dietetic benefits of amla, which is one of the healthiest and nutritious herbal products from India. Amla is enriched with high vitamin C content which is very important for overall health improvement. The use of amlas in the form of murabbas (sugar glazed Indian gooseberries) and pickles is very common in India, so as to improve the digestive system, treat ulcers, fight against obesity, and maintain balanced levels of cholesterol in the body.
