Indian Lime Pickle

newleaf

I've just returned from Lidl where I got limes for 7p each :j . For those who like spicy condiments here's my recipe for traditional Indian Lime Pickle. Don't worry about not having the spices in stock, you'll have 2 weeks to find them while the limes salt!

25 Limes
8oz salt
2oz Fenugreek powder
2oz Mustard powder
5oz Chilli powder
1/2 oz Turmeric
1 pint vegetable oil
1 tsp Asafoetida
1oz Yellow Mustard seeds, crushed

Cut each lime into 8 pieces and remove the pips. Place in a large clean glass jar or bowl with the salt. Cover and leave in a warm place for 2 weeks until they become very soft and brown. Give them a shake every day or two.

Mix together the Fenugreek, Mustard powder, Chilli Powder and Turmeric and add to the limes.

Cover and leave to rest again for 2 days.

Heat the oil in a deep frying pan and fry the Asafoetida and Mustard Seeds. When the oil reaches smoking point, carefully pour it over the limes. Mix well and pour into warmed sterile jars and seal. Keep at room temperature for at least a further week before serving.

Gingham_Ribbon

Wow. We eat LOADS of this. Perfect if the limes are cheap enough.

newleaf

I just had to edit it as I re-read it and realised I hadn't mentioned putting the salt in! lol
Anyway, glad it's of use to some people - mr newleaf loves it and slaps it on anything he considers 'bland'! I think it's nicer home made too.

Gingham_Ribbon

This is the only ingredient that isn't always in our store cupboard. What is it?

newleaf

which? I'm guessing, do you mean asafoetida? It's a very 'pungent' spice you will find it in stores (think we got ours at Tesco).
PS: this recipe makes plenty, I usually only need to make it once a year and I wait until I see limes reduced in price to do it, I must say Lidl's are the cheapest I've ever got!

Anne_Marie_2

Thanks newleaf, love lime pickle so will give it a try.

shays_mum

Not being funny & i am sure your recipe is wonderful!, but would'nt it be cheaper to just buy an authentic jarful?. If you went into any indian grocery store, there is a tonne of selection & they are really cheap!

newleaf

I suppose it depends how cheaply you can source the spices, I'm lucky to live in an area where there are plenty of Asian grocers and spices are really cheap. If I can get the limes at a reduced price, this recipe makes several jars - enough to give a couple as gifts and keep mr newleaf in lime pickle for a year -ish. I realise the faff is more than its worth for some folk of course, but I like to do it and I think others might too.

zombiecazz

I love lime pickle, but never sure how to use it.
What do you use your's for?

Gingham_Ribbon

newleaf wrote:

which? I'm guessing, do you mean asafoetida? It's a very 'pungent' spice you will find it in stores (think we got ours at Tesco).
PS: this recipe makes plenty, I usually only need to make it once a year and I wait until I see limes reduced in price to do it, I must say Lidl's are the cheapest I've ever got!

Thanks. I thought I cut and pasted but obviously not. Sorry!

Often recipes and things come up on here that might cost more than buying them ready made. If the limes aren't cheap enough, this could be one of them. But I honestly think that it's worth making things from scratch as they usually taste better and you can be sure of what's in them.

I've never made jam/chutney type things before though as I am not quite sure what to do with sterilising jars and where to get the round grease proof paper to cover them etc. Is it easy?

newleaf

zombiecazz wrote:

I love lime pickle, but never sure how to use it.
What do you use your's for?

We eat it as a condiment with Curry, mr newleaf is also inclined to put it on things like sandwiches, like a chutney, but it is too spicy for that in my opinion.