Summer is the perfect time to make pickles at home. The warm weather helps in the fermentation process, and the abundance of fresh vegetables makes it easy to create delicious and tangy pickles. Here are some simple and tasty pickle recipes you can try this summer.
1. Classic Cucumber Pickles
Ingredients:
- Fresh cucumbers
- White vinegar
- Water
- Sugar
- Salt
- Garlic cloves
- Fresh dill
- Mustard seeds
Instructions:
- Slice the cucumbers into thin rounds or spears.
- In a pot, combine equal parts vinegar and water. Add sugar and salt to taste, and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Place garlic cloves, fresh dill, and mustard seeds in a jar.
- Add the cucumber slices to the jar and pour the hot vinegar mixture over them.
- Let the jar cool to room temperature, then refrigerate. Your pickles will be ready to eat in a couple of days.
2. Spicy Mango Pickles
Ingredients:
- Raw mangoes
- Red chili powder
- Turmeric powder
- Salt
- Mustard oil
- Fenugreek seeds
- Fennel seeds
Instructions:
- Peel and cut the mangoes into small pieces.
- Mix the mango pieces with salt, turmeric powder, and red chili powder. Let it sit for a few hours.
- Heat mustard oil in a pan and add fenugreek and fennel seeds.
- Once the seeds start to splutter, pour the oil over the mango mixture.
- Mix well and store in a jar. Keep it in the sun for a few days to let the flavors develop.
3. Carrot and Cauliflower Pickles
Ingredients:
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- White vinegar
- Water
- Sugar
- Salt
- Mustard seeds
- Coriander seeds
- Bay leaves
Instructions:
- Cut the carrots and cauliflower into bite-sized pieces.
- In a pot, mix equal parts vinegar and water. Add sugar and salt to taste and bring to a boil.
- Add mustard seeds, coriander seeds, and bay leaves to a jar.
- Put the carrot and cauliflower pieces in the jar and pour the hot vinegar mixture over them.
- Let the jar cool to room temperature, then refrigerate. The pickles will be ready to enjoy in a few days.
4. Tangy Lemon Pickles
Ingredients:
- Lemons
- Salt
- Turmeric powder
- Red chili powder
- Sugar
Instructions:
- Wash and cut the lemons into quarters.
- Mix the lemon pieces with salt, turmeric powder, and red chili powder.
- Add sugar to balance the tartness, if desired.
- Store the mixture in a jar and keep it in the sun for a week, shaking it occasionally to mix the spices.
- The pickles will be ready when the lemon skins become soft.
Tips for Making Pickles
- Always use fresh and clean vegetables.
- Sterilize jars by boiling them in water to prevent contamination.
- Adjust the amount of spices according to your taste.
- Keep pickles in the sun to enhance their flavor and speed up the fermentation process.
- Refrigerate the pickles after opening to keep them fresh for a longer time.
Making pickles at home is a fun and rewarding way to preserve the taste of summer. Try these simple recipes and enjoy the tangy, spicy, and sweet flavors of homemade pickles all season long!
