“Vadu Mangai” is the pickle prepared from Maavadu (tiny tender mango). In the beginning of summer, we get these tender mangoes and the pickle is prepared in large quantities and preserved for one year.
Traditionally, the tiny mangoes are plucked from the stems and castor oil is applied on each mango and then it is arranged in a ceramic jar in between salt layers and chilli and mustard powder is sprinkled over it. It will be kept for few days, shaking the jar twice a day, till it starts wrinkling.
Mostly pickles require lot of oil and salt for preservation. However, this “Vadu Mangai”, even though it is soaked in salt, it does not require much oil. I tried this short cut method with small quantity.
Vadu Mangai Pickle
Course: PickleCuisine: Indian, TamilDifficulty: Easy20
servings72
hours5
minutes“Vadu Mangai” is the pickle prepared from Maavadu (tiny tender mango). Traditionally, the tiny mangoes are plucked from the stems and castor oil is applied on each mango and then it is arranged in a ceramic jar in between salt layers and chilli and mustard powder is sprinkled over it.
Ingredients
Maavadu (tiny tender mango) – 1/4 kg
Rock Salt (Kal Uppu) – 1/4 cup
Red Chilli Powder – 1 teaspoon heaped
Turmeric Powder – 1/2 teaspoon
Asafoetida Powder – 1/4 teaspoon
Mustard – 2 teaspoons
Gingelly oil or castor oil – 1 teaspoon
Directions
- Separate the tiny mangoes from the stem keeping 1 or 2 cm of stem on top of the mangoes in tact.
- Wash and wipe it with a clean cloth.
- Add it to a broad vessel and sprinkle one teaspoon of oil and mix it well so that the oil will get coated on the mangoes.
- Boil ½ cup water and allow to cool. Grind salt, mustard, red chilli powder, turmeric powder and asafetida together to a fine powder.
- In a jar add the oiled mangoes and add the boiled and cooled water along with the spice powder. Shake it well.
- Close with a lid and keep it for two to three days. Shake it twice a day one in the morning and another in the evening.
- got the perfect wrinkled vadu mangai on the fourth day and it was heavenly with curd rice.