7 regional Indian pickles to try this winter
As winter approaches, seasonal fruits and vegetables find their way into Indian kitchens, bringing opportunities to enjoy traditional flavours. Among the many regional specialities, Indian pickles stand out for their distinct ingredients, spice blends and preparation methods. Bengal’s kuler achar makes the most of winter’s juicy jujube fruits, while southern states are known for tangy leaf-based pickles and fiery chilli varieties. These pickles are more than just accompaniments; they reflect the food traditions of the each region
7 regional Indian pickles to explore this winter
Odisha: elephant apple pickle: Prepared with mustard oil and spices, it has a distinctive fruity tang that complements rice-based meals Kerala, Kadumanga pickle: Kerala’s kadumanga pickle uses small, tender raw mangoes tossed with red chilli powder, mustard and saltGujarat, Methia Keri: This Gujarati raw mango pickle gets its characteristic flavour from fenugreek seeds, mustard and a fragrant blend of spicesRajasthan, Ker-Sangri pickle: Made with ker berries and sangri beans native to Rajasthan’s arid landscape, this pickle celebrates ingredients that thrive in the desertTelangana, green chilli pickle: Telangana’s green chilli pickle combines fresh chillies with mustard, fenugreek and other spices for a fiery accompanimentAndhra Pradesh, Gongura pickle: The pickle gets its distinctive sourness from sorrel leaves, which are cooked with red chillies, garlic and spicesWest Bengal, Kuler Achar: Bengal’s kuler achar is made with seasonal jujube fruits, also known as ber, and combines their natural tartness with spices and often jaggery for a sweet-and-sour flavour