In India, there is a wide selection of pickles to choose from. Pickles are created mostly from mango, lime, Indian gooseberry (amla), chilli, birds-eye chiles, and vegetables such as eggplants, carrots, cauliflower, tomato, and bitter gourd in India. Pickles (Achars) are an important part of Kerala cuisine. Especially at lunch and dinner, Keralites enjoy spicy, hot pickles or achars. Pickles, also known as achars, are a side dish that makes an Indian dinner complete. Mangoes and lemon are used in many of Kerala’s pickle recipes, including delicate mango pickles, lime pickles, dry mango pickles, sliced mango pickles, and many others. Ginger garlic pickles, gooseberry or nellikka pickles, chilli, prawn seer fish pickles, and so on are some of the other popular pickles.
However, in India, achaar goes beyond the concept of spice combinations that most of us are familiar with. To reaffirm our passion for pickles, we’ve gathered a variety of famous pickles from across Kerala to delight your senses and reawaken your taste buds. Here is a list of the most famous Kerala pickles you must try at least once in your lifetime!
Cut Mango Pickles
Cut mango pickle called the “King of Pickles,” is a fine blend of sliced mango pieces, red chilli powder, mustard seeds powder, salt, and coconut oil or sesame oil, all of which are used in prescribed proportions and left to mature for a few weeks in porcelain vessels over the hot summer months. In Kerala, it’s common in homes, while in Tamil Nadu, it’s a staple on wedding menus. Chilli powder, turmeric, fenugreek, black pepper, and mustard are just a few days away from sinking into the mango in this quick-fix pickle. The way mango slices are chopped into large cubes to be pickled gives the pickle its name.
Dates Pickles
A classic pickle recipe from Kerala’s Malabar region is Malabar Style Dates Pickle. Dates are commonly used in desserts or consumed raw. It’s a quick pickle recipe that takes only 10 minutes to prepare. It’s sweet, spicy, and tangy, and it’s jam-packed with flavors. Eenthapazham achar is a Malabar specialty that goes well with Thalassery biriyani.
Fish Pickles
Kerala fish pickle is just out of this world. Really! You’re missing out if you like seafood and haven’t experienced Kerala’s version of fish pickle or meen achar. Fish pickle is one of Kerala’s many beloved delicacies. It goes well with rice and chapatis as a side dish. If you want to eat fish every day, this is the dish for you. The fish pickle is made with spicy spices and the flavors of the fish, and it’s a traditional Kerala recipe.
Garlic Pickles
If you like pickles, we’re sure you’ll love this. Garlic pickle has a salty, sour, and spicy flavor signature. It’s a mouthwatering concoction of flavors. Garlic has a long list of health advantages and has traditionally been a staple in Indian cuisine. Serve it with a side dish of your choice to make it even more exquisite. If you are a lover of hot and spicy pickles, once you try garlic pickles, we guarantee you will become a die-hard fan of it immediately.
Lime Pickles
The most popular pickle on this list is the lemon pickle, which is enjoyed by practically everyone. Lemon or lime pickle, made with lemons, salt, crushed spices, oil, and a pinch of red chilli powder, is one of the oldest condiments. You can eat this pickle with any Indian cuisine because it is thought to aid digestion when taken in little amounts.
Prawn Pickle
If you enjoy non-vegetarian Indian pickles, this Kerala Chemmeen/Prawn pickle is a must-try). It is one of South India’s most popular non-vegetarian pickles. Keralites make extensive use of this in their cuisine. The prawns must first be cleaned and properly peeled. After that, you must de-vain those little critters and add any seasonings you like. The ginger and garlic paste makes up the majority of this dish. You must roughly crush them and sauté them over a medium flame.
Tender Mango Pickle
Tender mango pickle is prepared with exquisite small raw mangoes, chilli, salt, and other unique ingredients, then processed in the traditional Namboothiri’s method. Mango absorbs the flavors of the other ingredients, and the taste of the pickle lingers in the mouth.
There is no Indian lunch that is complete without a pickle on the table. In India, there are about 1000 different types of pickles. Pickles have a long history in Indian culture and can transport us back to our youth. If you like pickles and haven’t tried most of the ones on this list, it is time you try out Double Horse pickles. As a most trusted food brand in Kerala, Double Horse offers tasty Kerala pickles made with farm-fresh items, dipped in the most aromatic, flavor enriching spices that would take you back to your grandmother’s kitchen filled with achar jars and that spicy aroma!
