Raw Jackfruit and Raw Mango Pickle

This pickle is called " Raw Jack-fruit Adgayi" in Konkani. As the mango season is so close you can try this mouth watering recipe.

Method:

Take 1/4 of medium size (length about 6 to 8 inches) raw jackfruit and two medium size fresh green and raw mangoes.

Peel and cube raw jack-fruit ( hereafter I will call it Kadgi). Boil these in water to which salt is added. This is just to make the pieces tender but firm enough to eat. Boil say, for 5 minutes.This boiling is NOT for cooking the vegetable. Cool and keep the salt water for use later in the recipe. Cool it and put it on a piece of cloth .

Cut the mangoes to 1/2" squares with the skin on.

Now dry fry in little bit of oil the following till golden brown, adding one by one in the order given below:
Coriander seeds : 1 Tablespoon fry then add
Dry Red chillies : 10 to 12 fry and then add
Fenugreek (methi) seeds : 1/2 tsp
Mustard : 1.1/2 tsp fry all and add
Last
Turmeric powder : 1/2 tsp
Asafoetida(hingu) : a pinch or two depending on the strength of hing
when hing smell comes up nicely , remove from pan and cool. Grind these in a mixie with the salt water ( adjust the addition of water , to get a fairly thick liquid after grinding- consistency like chocolate sauce)This pickle will be dark brown in color.
To this liquid, add mango pieces and kadgi pieces, and if required add salt. Keep covered for 1 day. Must keep in refrigerator thereafter and will keep for 10 days. Best eaten fresh.

It is difficult to give exact measurements for the recipe because of the size of kadgi and mangoes.
When you make it once or twice you will get the measures right.

Easy Plum Jam

Ingredients:

1. Cherry plums: 1 kg
2. Crystal Sugar: 1 kg
3. Citric acid crystals: 2 pinches
4. Essence : 3/4 to 1 tsp (Raspberry/Mixed Fruit)

Method:

Wash the cherry plums well and put in a thick bottomed pan. Keep the pan on lighted stove, add 1 tablespoon of water and cover with a lid. Cook on high fire. Be near the stove! In a short time the plums would have cooked. Remove the pan from fire.

When cooled, slowly remove the pips (seeds) and lightly mash with a spoon. Do not put in mixie /blender etc. Add the sugar and keep on lit stove again. Keep stirring alternating from medium flame to high flame taking care not to let it get burnt. The hot mixture gets a glossy shine, check for two to three string consistency (when you dip a flat spoon in the mixture and lift it up, the pulp should fall off slowly). Or simply drop a small lump of the sugar plum pulp in a bowl and put a few teaspoons of cold water on it. The jam should not dissolve, then it is done.
Remove from fire, add citric acid crystals and essence and mix well.

Fill in clean, sterilized glass bottles.