Quick Indian Pickles


These are so easy and tasty.

 

Sunset Magazine

 
Makes 24 spears 
Time: 20 minutes, plus 40 minutes to cool 
 
Ingredients 
  • 1  teaspoon  vegetable oil
  • 1/2  teaspoon  brown mustard seeds
  • 1/2  teaspoon  black peppercorns
  • 1/2  teaspoon  coriander seeds
  • 1/2  teaspoon  whole allspice
  • 1  teaspoon  cumin seeds
  • 3  cardamom pods, split
  • 2  small dried hot red chiles, broken in half
  • 1/4  teaspoon  ground turmeric
  • 1  cup  distilled white vinegar
  • 1/2  cup  fresh lime juice
  • 3  tablespoons  packed light brown sugar
  • 1 1/2  tablespoons  kosher salt
  • 4  garlic cloves, peeled and cut in half
  • 1  piece (1 in.) fresh ginger, peeled and thickly sliced
  • 6  Persian cucumbers, each cut into 4 spears
Directions

 

Warm oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and cook until they pop, about 2 minutes. All at once, add remaining spices except for turmeric and cook, stirring, until spices are very fragrant, about 1 minute. Add turmeric and stir just until sizzling. Carefully add 1/2 cup water, the vinegar, lime juice, sugar, salt, garlic, and ginger. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes.

Pack cucumber spears into a deep bowl. Pour pickling liquid over them, weight with a small plate to keep submerged, and let cool to room temperature, about 40 minutes. Lift pickles out of brine to serve.

Chill, covered, up to 2 days (pickles will get more flavorful).

Notes

Nutritional Information (per spear)

  • Calories:    13 (12% from fat)
  • Protein:    0.3g
  • Fat:    0.2g (sat 0.0)
  • Carbohydrate:    2.7g
  • Fiber:    0.3g
  • Sodium:    181mg
  • Cholesterol:    0.0mg