SWEET AND SPICY LEMON PICKLE - Khatta mittha teekha nimbu ka achar (no sugar, no oil, no sunlight )

INGREDIENTS 

• 10-12 lemons( thin-skinned) 

• 300-325 gms of jaggery

½ cup water 

INGREDIENTS FOR THE MASALA

½ tbsp coriander seeds 

• 1tsp ajwain seeds 

• 1tbsp fennel seeds 

• ½ tbsp cumin seeds

• 4-5 cloves 

• Small cinnamon stick

• 1-2 tsp salt (can add black salt )

• 2tbsp Kashmiri red chilli powder 

• 1-2  tsp red chilli powder 

• 5 black pepper 

• ¼ tsp hing 

• ½ tsp turmeric 

INSTRUCTIONS 

Dry roast coriander seeds,cumin seeds,ajwain,fennel,cumin,cloves,cinnamon,black pepper

Cool and coarse grind 

• Steam the lemons until they are very soft (15-20  mins)(mushier the  better.. it is best if  the  lemons split  open while steaming)

Cool and cut the lemons to the desired size

Remove seeds(reserve  the liquid juice extracted from the steamed lemons)

• In a kadhai melt the jaggery with half a cup of water

Simmer for 5-6 mins stirring continuously 

• Add chilli powders, salt,hing and coarsely ground spices 

• Cook for another 8-10 mins 

• When the syrup is thickened slightly add the lemons and cook further for 5-6 mins only

Add turmeric and the lemon juice, mix well and cook for another minute. switch off the flame

• Leave pickle to rest for one hour

• That’s it, it’s ready to be consumed 

• Store pickle in a clean, dry, airtight container 

• Enjoy your delicious Chatpata Nimboo  ka achar with parathas, dal rice, khichadi or just about  anything