This sweet mango pickle takes me places. It takes me to places that I lived as a 12-year old, in a house that had a huge kitchen, the time that we had the hottest summers in Kottayam and the baths we used to take under the backyard tap in the dusky evening light. The hot dosas for dinner and this sweet and slightly sour pickle that complemented the dosas like not even coconut chutney could. The bottle was brought out when there were chapatis and parathas on the table too.
Easily, the best part of this recipe is that fact that amma came up with it just like that one hot, sweaty Kerala summer day. She was slicing onions, oh so fine like she normally does, and then randomly took a couple of raw mangoes from the counter-top and starting putting together this condiment that would later be made again and again and filled in many many bottles, devoured by her youngest daughter with practically anything, and sent to relatives and friends who were near and far.
The sesame oil and the near-burnt fengreek seeds create a symphony with the chopped onions and mangoes that's hard to describe. It gels with anything you spread it on, making the meal magically taste better. Just like mothers spread their love and support on everything and magically make your life better. This is my soul-food, my comfort, amma's love. Also check out her instant mango pickle recipe here. It's a spicy version and a popular addition to Kerala Onam sadya or meals.
Amma's Sweet Mango Pickle RecipeMakes one small bottleIngredients:Raw mangoes - 3 nos (orange sized ones, approx)Onions - 3 bigJaggery / raw sugar (or brown sugar) - ½ cup, grated or meltedTurmeric powder - ½ tspChilly powder - 6 tspGingelly / Indian sesame oil - ½ cupFenugreek seeds / uluva / menthayam - ½ teaspoonAsafoetida / hing / kaayam - ¼ tspMustard seeds / kaduku - ½tspA few curry leavesSalt to tasteINSTRUCTIONS:1. Slice the mangoes and onions into thin pieces.2. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. When they pop, add the fenugreek seeds. When they turn a nice brown, add the onions. Take care not to burn the seeds otherwise they turn very bitter. Let the onions brown well.3. Now add the chilly powder, turmeric powder, hing and curry leaves. Stir around for a minute and then add the sliced mangoes and salt. Add ½ cup water to this and cook covered on a low flame (on sim, preferably).4. After about 10 mins, add the jaggery, mix well and let the mixture come to a boil. Remove, cool and store in air-tight bottles. Keeps in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Miri
Wow - the onions are new to me and must definitely add a little extra something - must try!
Susan aunty
Thought I'd tell you Nags, that I saved the recipe as Vasanthi's sweet mango pickle:-)
Wendy
I would love to make that but we don't get raw mangoes here(by that do you mean unripe? I am going by the colour of the skins)
Priti
Onion in pickle is new to me...looks gud
Cham
Love the tale and the pickle is on top!
Varsha Vipins
Drooollll..How I wish I could get some sour mangoes here..:(
sangeeta
Looks lovely.....and the addition of onions is something new for me , also keeping the skins on in a sweet pickle is something i never thought of , doesn't it get bitter? for sour pickle it's ok but if it's good for this cooked sweet pickle it'll be a lot more convenient for me....i make many batches of my version of sweet sour pickle n that gets distributed to many people..check out my banaras blog if you wish.
It's wonderfully written n i enjoyed reading it.
Priya
WOww i never had this sweet mango pickle, looks irresistible Nags..
DEESHA
Mango pickle with onions .. I am surprised
Bong Mom
Your description itself made me drool. Ok, now where is your Food Fiction, you promised, remember !!!