Mix Pickle

Mix Pickle is that one Indian condiment that has been a household favourite for generations when the question is adding a piquant zing to your meal. Its flavour is a perfect combination of tangy, spicy, and savoury all at once, achieved by letting a mixture of various vegetables and fruits sit in a spicy marinade. That is why, it’s always the ultimate side dish for anything-parathas to rice or everything in between.

Mix Pickle is centuries old and has a version in every part of India. It is the preparation that dates back in time when seasonal fruits and vegetables are used at home. With the pre-refrigeration era, homemade pickles became a craze since it could be stored for months. It is an everyday preparation that passed down generations.

The secret to a delicious Mix Pickle lies in the ingredients. It usually contains several varieties of vegetables like carrots, cauliflower, and green chilies, and fruits like raw mangoes or lemons. All these vegetables and fruits are cut into small pieces and submerged in a mix of spices that may contain mustard seeds, cumin, fennel, and turmeric. It is preserved with oil and salt to make the pickle more flavourful.

Apart from its mouth-watering taste, Mix Pickle has several health benefits. Most of the spices used in preparation are anti-inflammatory and digestive-friendly, for instance, turmeric and mustard. The fermentation process during preparation of Mix Pickle promotes good gut health since beneficial bacteria are introduced into the system and thus aid digestion.

Be it simple dal-rice, or rich curry, Mix Pickle can accompany each and every dish. It cuts through the richness of the curries with a sharp sour taste and adds that little pungency to make it even more delectable to the taste buds. Even as an accompaniment to snacks like samosas, pakoras, or even sandwiches, it provides that zest.

Diversification of India can be seen through the various Mix Pickle varieties available in the country. Raw mango pickles are very much in vogue in the North, whereas a mixture of lime and spices is very much preferred in the South. In Gujarat, it is a sweet-and-sour version of the mix pickle, with added jaggery and sugar balancing the tangy flavours. Each version has its own special place in the hearts of Indian food lovers.

Making Mix Pickle at home can be very fulfilling. Even though store-bought can be convenient, the taste cannot be compared to the home-made version. It is not a complicated process, but rather one that can be made to your liking. It is just a matter of using fresh ingredients, blending the spices well, and a little patience. After you make your Mix Pickle, the flavours will mingle together over the course of a few days. Soon enough, you will be able to have much more powerful and rich flavour.

One of the best things about Mix Pickle is that it can be stored for a long time. With proper storage, your pickle will last for several months without losing its flavour. Store your Mix Pickle in an airtight jar and keep it in a cool, dry place. The oil in the pickle acts as a preservative, which helps it stay fresh for a longer period.

It is not just a side dish but an ingredient versatile enough to be used in the preparation of many different dishes. Mix Pickle can be used as a filling in parathas or mixed in yogurt for a tangy accompaniment. Some use it even as a marinade to give grilled and roasted meats and vegetables an extra kick of spiciness.

Whether one is a child or grandfather, there isn’t someone who doesn’t like the Mix Pickle. One gets an instant hit in both terms of bold flavours and the crunch of the vegetables. This gives a revival of memory that everyone has, related to meals of the family, of important occasions when people used to have their meals sitting together as a family. The assortment for creating your flavour gives a guarantee that there’s a flavour of the mix pickle everyone has in his taste buds.

Not all Mix Pickle varieties are the same. Some people like theirs hotter, while others enjoy balanced flavour with a sweet tinge of sourness. Add some more chilies or drizzle in some mustard oil to your Mix Pickle and relish the extra fire in it. If it is not your cup of tea, decrease the chili strength or increase the measure of jaggery or sweetener, if you like, so that it is less tart in taste. So, Mix Pickle can be the way you like it.

Though it is popular in Indian cuisine, it can be used with so many other dishes due to its bold flavours. Its combination with Mediterranean dishes, such as hummus and falafel, and Middle Eastern kebabs is exceptional. Moreover, Mix Pickle can be served as a side dish with grilled meats or seafood or even pizza, which can be surprising but delightful.

A perfect mix pickle is a blend of flavours. Key ingredients include fresh ingredients, good quality spices, and the right amounts of salt and oil. It should not be too sour, too sweet, or too salty. Flavours in it should harmonize and create an explosion of flavour in every mouthful. The best mix pickle is one that matures until flavours fully develop.

Yes, Life can be messy, yet this is no excuse not to have a jar of Mix Pickle in your pantry. This will come very handy not only to season a liven up your lunch, but to quell some craving for a swift, neat little snack. All that said and done, and paired with its ease of application, long shelf life and versatility, make Mix Pickle an absolute must-have.

With every bite of Mix Pickle, the flavour reminds an individual of nostalgic times during their childhood spent at the table around meals. Meals of families that took place during some or other day with either having been made in their respective homes or procured from any local market used to smell with this flavour. Every flavour represented comfort and was made up of love in itself.

Although Mix Pickle has its origin in Indian culture, it has gained acceptance globally. Indian food is increasingly becoming popular all over the world, and Mix Pickle has found its way into many kitchens outside the Indian borders. Many people from different countries relish this tasty, spicy condiment and add it to their dishes to give an extra zing to their meals.

Mix Pickle, in a way, has its own value in Indian culinary traditions as it is a blend of both taste and tradition. Whether as a side dish or as a spread, so also as an ingredient to complement a dish, Mix Pickle can be used with absolute delight. Therefore, just go ahead and keep at least one jar in the kitchen. Then comes a world of taste which Indian cuisine offers you today.