Pickles or Achar is very popular in Asian Cuisine. Today I am sharing a recipe which is popular to the Peranakan Culture mostly found in Malaysia and Singapore. Peranakan or Nyonya cuisine comes from the Peranakans who are descendants of early Chinese migrants who settled in Penang, Malacca, Singapore and Indonesia inter-marrying with local Malays and combines Chinese, Malay and other influences.This Vegetable Achar is quiet popular among the locals here.It is an easy recipe .You can make it at home and enjoy with local delicacies likes fried rice.
Recipe for Nonya Achar :
Ingredients:
250 Gms Cucumber
100 Gms Carrots
1 Tbsp Salt
75 Gms diced Pineapple
1.5 Tbsp Roasted Sesame seeds
For Rempeh / Masala
1 Small red onion peeled and roughly chopped
1/4 Inch Fresh Ginger
2 Cloves of Garlic
2 Tbsp Sunflower Oil / Vegetable Oil
4 Candle Nuts
1/2 Tbsp Chilli Powder
1/4 Tsp Turmeric /Haldi
75 Gms Castor Sugar
60 ML Rice Vinegar
Method:
Cut the ends of Cucumber and peel the carrots. Cut the Cucumbers and carrots 2 inch long and 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick. Remove the seeds of the cucumber.Place the cucumber and carrot strips in a bowl and sprinkle salt.Toss and allow it to rest for about 45 Mins.
Blend chopped onions, garlic cloves ,ginger and candlenuts to get a fine paste.Heat oil in a pan. Add the onion mixture, chilli powder ,turmeric and saute on medium flame untill the oil starts to leave the sides and the raw smell is gone.Keep stirring and ensure it does not burn. Lastly add sugar and rice vinegar. Once the mixture starts to boil switch off the flame and allow it to cool completely.
Squeeze the excess liquid from the cucumber and carrot strips and place it in a dry bowl.Add pineapple cubes and roasted sesame.Now pour the rempeh and mix well. Transfer the contents of the bowl to a clean and dry container. Allow it to ferment overnight . You can then store it in a refrigerator. Always use a dry spoon when serving.
Enjoy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mmm… yum!
Yumm yumm. Interesting recipe.
So Inviting !!!
What are candle nuts? I’m not sure if I can get them here in Bangalore, so can I skip them?
Candle nuts are mostly used in Malay cuisine to thicken the gravies.It is also known as indian walnut.
Is there anything I can use in place of candle nuts? Or could I omit them altogether?
You can use Cashews or macadamia nuts.
Very Interesting Recipe.
Thank you Dhwani
I love pickles in any form, they looks so juicy and very much flavorful. I usually made pickles with english cucumber, but not tried this combo. Will try it!!