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This recipe of Dates pickle is the ultimate sweet, spicy, and tangy condiment that works as a great companion to any and every dish.
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Let's begin with 250 gms of seedless dates and chop them into small, uniform pieces—seedless dates save you so much effort, and the even cuts help them cook beautifully.
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Set them aside while you prep the tamarind pulp.
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Soak 50g of tamarind in a cup of warm water for about 15-20 minutes, letting it soften up.
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Once it's nice and mushy, squeeze it with your hands to extract all that tangy pulp, then strain out the seeds and fibers.
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You're left with smooth tamarind pulp—the tangy superstar of this recipe.
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Now, heat up 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan over medium heat.
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Once it's shimmering, toss in 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds and let them crackle—they're like little flavour bombs setting the stage.
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Add ¼ teaspoon of asafoetida (hing) and 1/2 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds next, frying them for just a few seconds until aromatic.
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Be careful not to burn them!
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Now throw in 1 tablespoon of finely chopped ginger and 2-3 green chilies, chopped up for that spicy kick.
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Saut this mix for about a minute, letting the ginger release its fragrance and the chilies infuse their heat into the oil.
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Here's where it gets exciting—add the tamarind pulp to the pan along with 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon red chili powder, and 1 teaspoon salt.
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Stir everything together and let it simmer for 5-7 minutes, giving the mixture time to thicken and all those spices to meld into a tangy base.
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Make sure to stir occasionally to avoid anything sticking or burning.
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Once the sauce has thickened up, it's time to bring in the star of the show: the chopped dates.
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Add them to the pan along with ¼ cup of jaggery.
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The jaggery melts into the tamarind sauce, balancing its tartness with a rich sweetness, while the dates soak up all the spicy, tangy goodness.
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Cook this mix for another 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure every date is coated in that luscious sauce.
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When the dates are soft and the jaggery has fully dissolved, turn off the heat and let the pickle cool completely.
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This cooling step is crucial—it helps the flavours deepen and mature.
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Once cooled, transfer the pickle to an airtight container and store it in a cool, dry spot.
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Let it rest for a day or two before digging in, and you'll have a next-level condiment that keeps beautifully for weeks.
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This dates pickle is a total flavour explosion, don't forget to try it out.