Irumban Puli Achar / Bilimbi Pickle

Our villagers had a very painful day on last week. A seven year old boy hanged himself on the window, for some silly matter! Could you believe? It was easy to believe if some more years have added to his age.I do blame only mothers and other family members who are addicted to Tv serials and films.Movies or serials simply shows how easy to end a life.. Mothers here, do not care when children watching Tv with them. Two more years back same thing happened to a 12 year old boy, who made bet with his friends while coming back home after playing. He showed his friends how to end life by climbing on a jack fruit tree, tied with his bath towel and jumped down.Children watching below thought it was just play, it was too late when they understand the truth.Both of these incidents much affected us, I hope , at least few mothers who read this could stop their children watching TV much..

I hope you all know what is bilimbi or Irumban puli. It is known as many different names in parts of Kerala.Ilimbi, Ilumbanpuli, Chemmeen puli or Keerichakka are some among them.(Click here to see the pictures) It is used to make squash, jam, pickles or mainly added to fish curries. Recently I heard, some prepared cake with it!



Irumbam puli achar Ingredients
Irumban puli chopped 3 cups
garlic 1 bulb
green chillies 6
curry leaves few
pickle powder 3 Tb spoons (used Eastern)
red chilly powder 3 tsps
mustard seeds 2 tsp for seasoning
coconut oil or sesame oil
vinegar 1 Tbsp
salt

How we prepared it
Wash the Irumban puli and remove the stems while chopping.
Mix it with salt and pickle powder.
Keep it for one hour.
Heat oil, splutter mustard seeds.
Add garlic pearls, chopped green chillies,curry leaves and saute for a while.
Add red chilly powder together with Irumban puli.
Saute for some time, check for salt, and add if needed.
Pour vinegar over it, remove from fire.
Keep this out side for one week, then keep in fridge.

Tip: Wipe spoons very well before you take any pickle. Wetness soon damage pickles.