How to Make Homemade Sweet and Tangy Tomato Pickles

2. If you consider tomato to be a vegetable and your friend considers it a fruit, both of you will be right. Tomato is both a fruit and a vegetable, forming an integral part of global cuisines. Tomatoes enhance the flavour of the food. You find them as the main constituent in different foods, like pastas, pizzas, ketchup, various beverages, and as an included flavour element in dishes ranging from breakfast to dinner. The health benefits of tomatoes have been known to mankind since ancient times. Hence a daily consumption of organic tomatoes is advised as it provides one with a number of health benefits: improved eye sight, good stomach health, reduced blood pressure, relief from diabetes, skin problems and urinary tract infections. It also enhances digestion, stimulates blood circulation, reduces cholesterol levels, improves fluid balance, protects kidneys and detoxifies the body. Tomatoes consist of various antioxidants which fight different forms of cancer. It is a rich source of vitamins and minerals and has a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases.

3. Organic tomatoes are cultivated in an environment that has a lower nutrient supply, as nitrogen-rich chemical fertilisers are not added. This leads to excessive formation of antioxidants in organic tomatoes. Antioxidants are very good for health and help in keeping diseases at bay. Also, tomatoes are a highly sprayed crop involving large quantities of pesticides and insecticides. Eating organic tomatoes protects us from chemical contamination. Moreover, organic farming is good for the environment as well! Try out Terragreens Organic Tomato Pickle made with fresh organic tomatoes giving you a healthy tangy relish. Sweet and Tangy Tomato Pickle Well, you can prepare this tangy and sweet pickle at home too, if you have the time. Check out this recipe.

4. Ingredients: • 500 gms ripe organic tomatoes well washed, dried and finely chopped • 8-10 garlic cloves • a small lemon sized ball of tamarind • salt – to taste • 1-2 tsp red chilli powder • 1 tsp roasted and powdered fenugreek seeds • 1 tsp roasted and powdered mustard seeds • 2 tsp jaggery (optional)

5. For tempering: • 2 tsp vegetable oil • 1 tsp cumin seeds • 1 tsp mustard seeds • 1 tsp split black gram • 1 tsp bengal gram • ¼ tsp asafoetida • 5-6 dried red chillies • 8-10 curry leaves • 1 tsp jaggery (optional)

6. Method: To cook the tomato pickle: Take some oil in a thick bottomed pan and heat it. Add garlic cloves and sauté, till aromatic. Then add the finely chopped tomatoes and cook till they turn soft and mushy. Add tamarind, mix and cook for a further 5 minutes. Cool the mixture and blend with salt, red chilli powder, jaggery, roasted fenugreek and mustard seeds powder. Blend to a smooth paste.

7. For tempering: Heat oil in a small wok. Add mustard seeds. When they splutter, add cumin seeds and allow them to pop. Then add split black gram and bengal gram and saute till light brown. Add asafoetida and immediately add the dried red chillies and fresh curry leaves and let them crackle. Take the wok off the fire and pour this tempering over the pickle and mix well. Store it in an airtight container and use it when required.

8. Tips and Tricks: 1.The blended mixture may be refrigerated and fresh tempering can be given to the pickle just before eating. 2. If tomatoes are tangy enough, use of tamarind may be omitted. 3. If a chunky consistency is preferred, instead of blending just mash the mixture. 4. Sesame oil may be used instead of vegetable oil to give the pickle an intense flavour. Tomato pickle is a tasty accompaniment with rice, idli or dosa. If you find the procedure tasking, buy Terragreens Organic Tomato Pickle made with fresh organic tomatoes.