This Zingy South Indian Coconut Pickle Is A Winner
Image Credit: Coconut Pickle

How can you preserve fruits and veggies year-round? Pickle them. In contrast to the Western tradition of preserving vegetables in brine, Indian pickling is a complex procedure where edible products are preserved uncooked or shallow-fried combined with salt, spices, and some sauces. Coconut is the quintessential icon of South Indian food! There are coconuts found everywhere. Whether it be in the form of grated, crushed, sliced, chopped, stir-fried, or even oil. Let's combine two of the best aspects of Indian eating customs. We present to you the coconut pickle. Since old days, Keralan households frequently produced a pickle with coconut shards. 

Here is a recipe for making it at home 

Ingredients:

  • 4 tsp chopped garlic 
  • 4 tsp chopped ginger 
  • 4 tsp chopped green chillies 
  • 4 tsp curry leaves 
  • 1 tsp turmeric powder 
  • 3 tsp chili powder 
  • 2 tsp cumin 
  • 10 dried chilies 
  • 1 ½ tsp asafoetida powder 
  • 1 tsp fenugreek seeds 
  • Salt as required 
  • ¼ tsp coriander powder 
  • ¼ cup water 
  • 250 g sesame oil 
  • Vinegar (optional)

Method:  

  • Wash the coconut after chopping it up into small pieces. In a hot pan, toast the dried chilies, fenugreek seeds, cumin, and curry leaves. 
  • Remove and let it cool. Using the grinder, pulse these. On the other side heat sesame oil in a pan, stir-fry green chilies, ginger, and garlic. 
  • Add curry leaves once they start to turn it’s colour add the coconut flakes as well. Sauté the coconut flakes until they are nicely browned. 
  • Add the asafoetida, coriander, chilli, and turmeric powders at this time. As needed, season with salt. Mix well. Add some water. 
  • Cook until the oil starts to separate and the pickle thickens. If necessary, you could include a tablespoon of vinegar.  
  • You can enjoy eating coconut pickle with rice, idli, or dosa. The pickle could be kept for longer in an airtight jar as sesame oil is added.

When used in moderation in your diet, coconut can be a healthy addition. Here are a few potential health benefits to consider. Coconut is a fantastic source of fibre that is easy on the stomach and filling. Iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, and selenium are other minerals you'll receive. With 5 g of fibre in just 2 tablespoons (tbsp), coconut flour—which is made from dried and crushed coconut meat—makes an outstanding substitution for regular white flour, particularly for people who follow a gluten-free diet. 

Potassium, which helps balance sodium levels in the body and control blood pressure, is a mineral that coconut water provides in good amounts.