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Carrot Achaar

Achar stands for pickle. Many kinds of achar use vinegar and are not truly fermented. This achar starts by lacto-fermenting the vegetables, and then using them to make the achar.
Prep Time40 minutes
Fermentation Time5 days
Servings: 10
Author: Brewbird

Ingredients

  • 4 Indian Carrots, chopped in 1 inch long matchstick pieces
  • 1 Serrano pepper or Jalapeno Pepper, de-seeded
  • 3 Garlic cloves, whole
  • 1 inch Ginger piece
  • 2 cups Filtered Water
  • 11 grams Non-iodized salt

Achaar Flavourings

  • 1/3 cup Neutral oil or mustard oil if you like a strong mustard flavour You can put in less oil if you plan to eat it all within 4 weeks. The extra oil helps it keep for longer.
  • 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder
  • 2 tbsp Chili pepper powder
  • 1 tbsp Mustard seeds Or 1/2 tbsp Mustard powder
  • 1/4 tsp Fenugreek seeds
  • 1 tsp Fennel seeds
  • 1 tsp Asafoetida Powder (Hing) Optional
  • 1 tsp White sugar
  • 1 tbsp Salt Iodized salt is okay

Instructions

  • Cut carrots in whatever way you desire, some people like them in matchsticks while others like them diced roughly. Fill a jar with the cut up-carrots, and the whole piece of ginger, whole garlic cloves, and the whole chili pepper that has been de-seeded.
  • In a separate measuring cup, dissolve the salt in 3 tbsp of hot water. Once dissolved, top up with room temperature water to 2 cups (500mL). Pour the room-temperature salt-brine into the jar until all the vegetables are submerged in liquid. Screw the lid on the jar. You may need to put a weight or some parchment paper on top to ensure that all the vegetables are submerged underneath the brine. Anything sticking out is at risk of getting moldy.
  • Allow to ferment for 5-7 days at room temperature on the kitchen counter. Keep away from direct sunlight. Burp the jar each day by loosening the lid to let out the CO2 gases that are produced from lacto-fermentation. This is important as the jar could explode if you do not release the pressure from the jar.
  • After 5-7 days, drain the vegetables from the brine. The brine can be saved and used as a starter culture for future ferments, or can be used to marinate meat in.
  • Roughly mince the lacto-fermented garlic cloves and ginger. Cut the chili pepper into thin strips. Mix back with the carrots.
  • Add the spices and mustard oil to the carrot, ginger, chili, and garlic mixture. Mix until all the vegetables are well coated in the spices and oil. Adjust seasoning based on your tastes. I usually add in more oil to create an oil barrier to help the achaar keep for longer. If you will eat it all in a few weeks, feel free to put in less oil. Transfer the achar to a clean jar, and place in the fridge.

Optional Steps for more Flavour

  • Optional: Gently toast the fennel seeds, mustard seeds, and fenugreek seeds in a small pan for 2-3 minutes. Put in a mortar and pestle and grind them up finely.
  • Optional: In a small pot, heat the mustard oil until it smokes, and take off the heat. After 5 minutes, add all the spices and stir to prevent the aromatics from burning.