Ingredients

Sardine/Mathi Pickle

Sardine/Mathi-1 kg

Garlic-20 cloves (long strips)

Ginger- 1 big piece (strips)

Green chilly-15 (slits)

Curry leaves-4 strings

Chilly powder-2 1/2 tbsp

Turmeric powder-1/2tsp

Asafoetida powder1/4tsp

Fenugreek powder- 1/4 tsp

Salt- to taste

Mustard seeds-1tsp

Fenugreek seeds-1/2tsp

Oil- for frying

Vinegar-3/4cup

Hot Water-2 to 3 cups

Dry red chilly-5 (slits)

For Marination

Chilly powder-2 1/2 tbsp

Turmeric powder-1/2tsp

Vinegar-1tbsp

Salt- to taste

Method

Choose very small sardines ..Small ones best for pickle than big sardines..

Cut ,clean and wash them properly using salt and vinegar ..

Then make 5 to 6 gashes on each sides..

Make a paste of chilly powder,turmeric powder and salt ..Marinate the sardines with this masala ..Keep aside for minimum 15 minutes

Heat  3 tbsp oil in a heavy bottomed  non stick pan

Fry ginger pieces,garlic pieces ,green chilly separately,Keep aside

Then splutter mustard seeds,fenu greek seeds,dry red chilly and curry leaves one by one(Add enough oil )

Then switch off the gas and add all the powders and saute until the raw smell goes..

Then add vinegar ,boiled water ,salt and roasted ginger-garlic and curry leaves ..Mix well ..Keep aside ..

Now fry the sardines in batches till they become crisp (dont burn )

Add all fried fish into the prepared sauce ,mix well and boil well for 10 minutes in medium flame ..

Check the salt and sourness ..So yummy but simple mathi achar is ready ………….

On the first day- Closeup shot

After 2 weeks

Love

🙂

Veena