Introduction
Mango pickle is a popular and traditional condiment in India made from raw unripe green mangoes, spices, salt and oil. It’s a tangy and spicy accompaniment that adds flavor to many dishes. Such pickle can be enjoyed with rice, rote and any meal to ad taste. The tangy and spicy flavor of pickle complement the dishes beautifully, adding on extra kick of flavor.
Recipe of Mango Pickle:
To make mango pickle at home, you will need the following ingredients:
- Raw mangoes.
- Vinegar.
- Mustard oil.
- Cumin seeds.
- Turmeric powder.
- Red chilly powder.
- Garam masala powder.
- Salt.
Here a simple Recipe for homemade mango pickle:
- Firstly, wash and dry the mangoes and cut them into small, bite-sized pieces, discarding the seeds. Mangoes can be sliced or chopped.
- In a large bowl, mix together vinegar, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, chilly powder, garam masala powder and salt.
- Add the Sliced or Chopped mangoes to the bowl and mix well to coat with the spice mixture.
- Cover the bowl with a cloth or let it sit in cool, dry place for 2-3 days.
- After 2-3 days, add minced garlic and ginger ( if you want more tangy and delicious taste) to the bowl and mix well.
- Transfer the mixture into a clean, airtight jar.
- Keep the jar away into a dry place for few days (approx.1 week) and shaking it occasionally to mix the ingredient added after ( Ginger and garlic).
- Your mango pickle will be ready to serve in about a week but the longer it matures, the better flavor will blend together.
Always remember to use clean Equipment and storage containers to ensure the pickle remains fresh and safe to eat.
Benefits of Consuming Mango Pickle:
Mango pickle offers many health benefits when consumed as a part of balanced diet. Here are some of most significant benefits of eating such pickle are following:
Boost Digestion:
Fermented pickles like mango pickle contain probiotic bacteria that are beneficial for gut health and the combination of spices and vinegar stimulates digestive enzymes and reduce symptoms like bloating, indigestion and cramps. Such probiotics can help to improve immune system and boost digestion.
Flavorful Condiment:
Such pickle can add flavor to dishes without the need for excessive salt and unhealthy fats. It can make simple meals more enjoyable and delicious. It’s a tangy and spicy accompaniment that adds extra taste and flavor to many dishes.
High in Antioxidants:
Mangoes are rich in antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E, which protects the body form the damage caused by free radicals and reduces oxidative stress and inflammation.
Reduce Cholesterol levels:
Such pickle is rich in antioxidants, fibers and vitamins that are helpful in reducing LDL (bad cholesterol) cholesterol levels in your body and support cardiovascular health.
Manage Blood Sugar:
Such pickle are high in fiber, antioxidants and vitamins and they may help regulate blood sugar levels in your body, improve insulin sensitivity and supports diabetes management.
Support Eye health:
The Vitamin A ,Vitamin E and the antioxidants present in mangoes may help to protect the eyes form damage and reduces the risk of age-related muscular degeneration. Such combination of antioxidants also helpful in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the eyes and promotes healthy vision.
Support Heart health:
Such pickle is also good for your heart health because the antioxidants properties present in such pickle helps in reducing inflammation and preventing oxidative stress, that are directly linked to heart health. Additionally, Potassium present in mangoes helps in maintaining healthy blood pressure levels, that also improves heart health.
Good for Hair and skin:
Such pickle is also beneficial for your skin and hairs because the antioxidants present in such pickle may help promote healthy hair growth, strengthens your hairs and reduce the risk of hair loss and the presence of vitamin C produces collagen which helps in deep cleansing the skin and keeps it radiant and soft.
May reduce inflammation:
The anti-inflammatory compounds present in such pickle like cumin and curcumin, may help reduce inflammation, pain and swelling in the body and reduce oxidative stress.
Side effects of Consuming Mango pickle:
Mango pickle is generally considered safe to eat, but here are some potential side effects of overconsumption you should aware of:
High Sodium Content:
Mango pickle is high in sodium, which can be a concern for the people with high blood pressure, heart diseases, kidney diseases and fluid retention. Excessive sodium consumption can leads to blood pressure spikes, fluid buildup in the body and strain on the heart and kidney.
High Oil content:
Some variety of such pickle contain a high amount of oil, which is high in calories and overconsumption of such oil-rich food contributes to weight gain and other health concern if doesn’t balanced with a healthy diet.
Low Nutritional value:
The process of making such pickle reduces its nutritional value because the process of making such pickle mainly includes cutting mangoes and leaving them under the sun to dry. No amount of water is allowed to remain in such mixture. Drying in sunlight destroy most of the nutrients present in such fruit.
Digestive issue:
Such Pickle is loaded with spices and vinegar, which can irritate the digestive system and can cause various digestive issues like bloating, gas, stomach discomfort, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Allergic reaction:
Some people may be allergic to the mangoes, spices used in pickle and vinegar. such people may experience some symptoms of allergic reactions like hives, itching and swelling after it’s consumption.
Interaction with Medication:
Mango pickle is highly rich vitamin C and the high vitamin C content may interact with medications like blood thinners, Diabetes medications and blood pressure medications. Higher intake of vitamin C can reduce the effectiveness of these medications and increase the risk of side effects.
Conclusion
Mango pickle, when enjoyed in moderation, provides a flavorful experience and numerous health benefits. However, it is important to be mindful of its potential side effects. To fully experience the benefits of this pickle, it is essential to consume it in moderation. Should you encounter any adverse reactions or symptoms, it is advisable to seek guidance from a healthcare professional.