Gongura Pickle Recipe | Andhra Niluva Gongura Pacchadi

Gongura pickle recipe with step by step photos.Gongura pickle does not need any introduction as it is one of the most popular pickles from the state of Andhra and any Andhra meal is incomplete without gongura pickle being served in it.Gongura pickle is sour and spicy and is made out of red sorrel leaves,it can be stored for a couple of months if made carefully. I also have posted a version of Gongura Pacchadi with Green Chilies and Gongura Pacchadi recipe using Red chllies which have less shelf life and should be consumed in a day or two.Gongura pickle is usually mixed with hot steamed rice,ghee and is eaten with raw onions on the side, the onions elevate the taste of the gongura pickle and hence do not miss to serve it with onions.

I do not miss to get these wonderful greens when ever I go to little India and in fact it has become a norm to keep a bottle of Gongura pickle or Pulihora Gongura pickle handy in my refrigerator these days.It is much better to eat the homemade pickles rather than the preservative loaded ready made pickles.I also prepare another version of gongura pickle - Pulihora Gongura pickle which is prepared in a different way with the addition of tamarind and few other spices and even this Pulihora Gongura pickle can be stored for a couple of months.Both the pickles taste absolutely delicious in its own way, try these pickles at home and enjoy the delicious home made andhra famous gongura pickle.

Apart from the pickles we make various other pacchadi,dal,curry and rice varieties with these greens and these greens give a peculiar taste and sourness to the recipe which makes it even more tastier.Check out all Gongura recipes in my blog here:

• Gongura Pulihora | Gongura Rice | Sorrel Greens Rice
• Talimpu Gongura | Noone Gongura
• Gongura Pulusu Kura
• Gongura Pappu | Sorrel Greens Dal
• Gongura Pacchadi with Green chilies
• Gongura Pacchadi recipe using Red chllies
• Gongura Soya Chunks Curry | Soya Gongura
• Pulihora Gongura pickle 

Here is how to make gongura pickle recipe with step by step photos.

Gongura Pickle | Niluva Gongura Pacchadi Recipe:

Shelf life:1 month | Author: Prathibha

Prep time: 15 mins | Cooking time: 30 mins | Total time: 45 mins

Cuisine: Andhra | Category: Pickles/Accompaniments

Ingredients:

1 big bunch or 8-10 cups tightly packed Gongura(Red sorrel) leaves

1 tbsp Mustard seeds

1.5 tsp Fenugreek seeds

6-8 Red chilies

Salt to taste

1.5 tbsp Sesame oil

to temper:

4 tbsp Sesame oil

1 tsp Mustard seeds

5-6 Red chilies,whole or broken

15-16 Garlic cloves,peeled roughly

1/4 tsp Asafoetida

Method:

• Dry roast mustard seeds,fenugreek seeds and red chilies until they are nicely roasted.Cool them and grind them along with salt to a fine powder.

• Remove the gongura leaves from the stems and wash them thoroughly and drain the water thoroughly. Spread a big kitchen towel and spread the leaves on the towel and let them dry in shade for 3-4 hours.They do not need to get wilt just that the water has to be completely absorbed by the towel.

• In another pan heat oil and add gongura leaves(dried for a while) and saute them until they become soft and pulpy.Do not add water to the leaves at any point of time.Continue frying for 7-8 mins until the water evaporates from the leaves mixture.

• Cool the gongura leaves and grind it to a paste along with the ground spice powder.

• In the same/another pan heat 4 tbsp of sesame oil and crackle mustard seeds and then add garlic cloves and red chilies and fry them until they turn slight brown in color and add asafoetida and then add the ground gongura mixture and fry it nicely for 8-10 mins until the mixture starts leaving the oil along the edges.Sometimes the oil gets seeped inside the pickle but it will start leaving after a couple of hours when stored in the bottle,so do not worry.
• Cool it thoroughly and store it in an air tight glass bottle in the refrigerator.It stays good for a month or two in refrigerator when handled carefully.

Serve it with hot steamed rice with ghee and raw onions on the side.

Notes:

1. You can add 1.5 tbsp of Coriander seeds while roasting the mustard and fenugreek seeds.The addition of coriander seeds is optional.I add sometimes and skip it sometimes and however the taste does not alter much.
2. If you are using tella gongurs(not the typical red gongura leaves) you need to add a small gooseberry sized tamarind while frying the gongura leaves for the sourness.
3. The amount of red chilies can be altered according to your spice level.
4. Do not skip garlic in the recipe as it adds a nice taste and also always serve the gongura pickle with raw onions on the side.
5. Sesame oil is recommended for the recipe, if you do not have you can use regular oil.
6. Always use a clean and dry spoon when you take out the pickle and close the lid tightly and store it in refrigerator for increased shelf life.
7. You can take the required portion of the pickle and mix in the chopped onions and serve it with hot steamed rice and ghee.

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