ZITRONE PICKLE(Zitrone Uppinakayi)

While the original intent of making pickle was to preserve the seasonal vegetables,it has over centuries become an intrinsic part of Indian culinary experience!No meal is considered complete without a dash of pickle:)Pickle making is a tradition and each region have their own twist to the recipes.Spurred by the availability of zitrone(lemon like) in Germany,I was motivated to try making a zitrone pickle!It tasted real yummy an here goes the recipe:)

INGREDIENTS

• Zitrones - 4-5(big)
• Fenugreek seeds - 2 tsp
• Asafoetida(Hinge) - 1/4 tsp
• Red Chilli powder - about 75 gms(add less if you want it less spicy)
• Salt - about 50 gms(or as per your taste)

HOW TO MAKE

Preparing the pickle jar:

• Take a glass jar and wipe it well to make sure there is no moisture.

• Cut the zitrones to small pieces as per your desire .
• Add in the Zitrones to the clean jar.
• Now add in the salt and mix well.

• Close the jar(make sure it is tight) and keep it aside for about 4-5 days.(Make sure you keep mixing once in 2 days and most importantly ,do not add any water and use only a dry spoon)
• After 4-5 days ,you will see that the zitrones would have given out enough water because of salt.
• Now is the time to add in the spice mix.

Preparing the spices to mix for the pickle:

• Take a saucepan and dry roast the fenugreek seeds and asafoetida until you get a nice aroma.(Make sure you do not burn them)
• Allow the mixture to cool down.
• Now take a grinder and add the roasted mixture and the chilli powder .Grind them to a smooth powder WITHOUT adding water.

• Now add the ground powder to the pickle jar (which as been sitting for about a week in the salt mixture)
• Mix well.
•                                            
• Make sure you keep mixing the pickle once in every two days.After 3-4 days the juice from the zitrone start to form and would have mixed well with the masala and the pickle is ready to taste.(one tip:If it is not juicy,you can add some zitrone juice and then allow it to settle well for some more time)
• Pickle is ready to eat.Savour it with Idli,Dosa,rice!

Note: The above steps can be followed by using lime/lemon instead of zitrone.