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Lime Pickle

India

Nimbu achar is part of the Indian thali, a small bite of intense flavour to cut through rich food. Every region and family has its own recipe, often passed from grandmother to granddaughter.

A fiery, sour, salty Indian pickle of whole limes preserved with chilli and spices. A tiny spoonful lifts any meal.

Authentic India Lime Pickle recipe
Prep
20 mins
Cook
15 mins
Difficulty
Medium
Calories
25 kcal
Serves
20
Calories are an estimate based on ingredients used

Ingredients

12limes, scrubbed and cut into small pieces
60gfine sea salt
2 tbspchilli powder
1 tbspground turmeric
1 tspground fenugreek
1 tbspmustard seeds
1 tspasafoetida
120mlmustard or vegetable oil
1 tbspjaggery or sugar

Method

1

Mix the lime pieces with the salt and turmeric in a sterilised jar. Leave in a sunny spot or warm place for 3-4 days, shaking daily.

2

Heat the oil and fry the mustard seeds until they pop. Add the asafoetida, chilli, fenugreek and jaggery and cook for 1 minute.

3

Cool, then stir into the limes.

4

Seal and leave to mature for 2 weeks before eating. Keeps for a year.

Chef's Tip

Use very clean, dry jars and utensils. The oil and salt preserve the pickle, so keep the limes submerged.

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Some recipe photos courtesy of Openverse and Wikimedia Commons contributors, used under Creative Commons licenses.
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