PICKLE is a part of all Indian cuisines, and people all over the country relish this dish with their meals.
Ever wondered where the phrase ‘in a pickle’ originated from? Some credit the great Shakespeare with it. The Tempest has a line, ‘How camest thou in this pickle? Some others say it came from the diary of Samuel Peopys. The word, though is, of Dutch origin “pekel ” indicating something spicy and brined. The English phrase though means, someone in a spot of bother, disarray, etc. Whatever the origin or the meaning, we Indians have been pickling a lot of stuff and doing it rather well.
Pickling is the age-old preservation method of fermenting various vegetables using natural preservatives like salt, spices, and oil or vinegar used across the country. Some even pickle fish and meat and raw fruits as well. It is believed that the pickling process in India started to not waste excess crops. Also, during the seasons when it was difficult to get some fresh produce, the pickles were quite handy as accompaniments for meals.
The process of pickling differs from region to region in India. However, almost all Indians can lap up their rice or rotis with a touch of Achaar, as it’s called in many places. Almost all get-togethers, including a wedding feast, will usually have a pickle as a side dish. In South India, the pickle and curd rice combination is a popular dish served in restaurants.
Are Pickles Unhealthy?
Have you been keeping away from your favourite pickles because you were told that they are unhealthy? This is quite possible if you have a blood pressure or heart issues. But if pickle is a fermented food, isn’t it is supposed and good for our gut?
So it all depends on what and how much you eat. Home-made pickles taken in moderation are not as unhealthy as the off-the-shelf ones. Also, it is better to use kala namak of black salt in the pickles to make them healthier. If you are using oil in the pickles, use healthy oil like mustard or Til oil that will be easy on your heart. The vinegar used in pickles can be good for your gut health as they induce good bacteria for improved digestion.
Benefits of Pickles
Some nutritionist say that pickles are nutrition-dense food that is helpful. Based on the ingredients used like mango, lemon, veggies, etc., they are rich in antioxidants. So, while it is not advisable to eat pickles every day or in large quantities, they do have their benefits.
The fermentation process in the pickles promotes the growth of lactic acid, citric acid, and acetic acid. These strengthen your gut microbes and aid digestion by boosting the metabolism. The various spices added to the pickles also make them heavy in nutrients. The combination of nutrients and antioxidants provides many health benefits. More importantly, it makes eating even the most non-palatable food tasty and easy. When we are sick and prefer to take porridge, or curd rice, a spoon of pickle provide the much-needed impetus.
The Cons
A combination of oil, spices, and salt, can not be healthy when we make a habit of it. It can become unhealthy habit or an addiction. For example, few people can not finish a meal without eating some pickle. This habit some other related health consequences as well. One study found evidence that people eating pickles every day boosted appetites. So, they ended up eating more food in between meals. Also, such people preferred more spicy and unhealthy foods over healthy ones. Pickles can have high sodium content and lead to hypertension and heart issues.
Hence the catch is to ensure that the pickles are hygienic and home-made in the traditional way with healthier alternates of salt and oil. Overindulgence in anything is not suitable for our health. So, the funda is to not end up in a pickle, would be to eat your pickle in moderation and not make a habit of it. While the traditional pickle-making process can be tedious, those grandma’s pickles could be preserved for as long as a year. These days there are many easy pickling recipes available on YouTube. These can be used to make pickles that can be consumed in shorter periods.
So in the end, Happy Pickling.
Waiting for your feedback on this blog.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
3rd July 2024