Carrot pickle...Indian style
Spicy Carrot Pickle: A Nostalgic Family Favorite
When I was younger, my mother used to make grilled sandwiches with spicy carrot pickle. I loved them—but when I tried making the pickle myself, I didn’t do it often. Cutting carrots into finger-like strips was such a chore!
That all changed when my mother bought me a grater. It’s not the original German brand, but it works wonders. Thickly slicing carrots now takes a fraction of the time it once did. Honestly… why did I ever do it by hand?
This pickle has become a staple in our household. We eat it with almost everything: alongside salads, as a quick side when a fresh salad hasn’t been made, or even rolled into flatbreads. It’s an effortless way to get carrots into the kids’ diet—they love it! The heat level is entirely flexible, so you can turn it up or down to your taste.
Ingredients
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2 lb thickly grated carrots (optional: soaked in salt overnight; my mother swears by this to prevent digestion issues, but I’ve never had problems without soaking)
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2–3 tablespoons tomato puree
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1 teaspoon salt
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1–2 teaspoons chili powder (adjust to your heat tolerance)
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3 tablespoons lemon juice
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3 tablespoons olive oil (or your preferred oil)
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2–3 cloves crushed garlic (we often use a whole bunch because we love garlic for taste and health)
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Optional: grated ginger (my mother adds it, though I haven’t tried it yet)
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2–4 green chilies (or sweet green chilies if you prefer less heat)
Method
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Prepare the carrots: Peel and thickly grate the carrots into roughly 2-inch strips. Sprinkle with about 2 tsp of salt and let them sit until slightly softened. Drain any excess liquid and rinse if needed.
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Make the spice paste: In a separate bowl, combine tomato puree, chili powder, lemon juice, oil, garlic, and optional ginger into a smooth paste.
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Combine and serve: Mix the carrots with the spice paste until evenly coated.
How to Enjoy
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Use as a side with meals.
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Roll it into flatbreads or wraps.
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Make grilled sandwiches for a nostalgic treat.
It’s quick, versatile, and adds a delicious, healthy kick to any meal. Plus, it’s an easy way to sneak more vegetables into kids’ diets—without any fuss!
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