Afghan Spiced Pickled Vegetables
Afghan Spiced Pickled Vegetables (Torshi Masalahdar)
This recipe for torshi or pickles is from Parwana by Durkhanai Ayubi (2020). It's described as tangier than torshi bemasalah due to the inclusion of citrus. It's made using an assortment of seasonal vegetables, but with less vinegar and more oil and spices for a sharp, sour taste.
Ingredients
- 4 1/3 cups white vinegar
- 4 cups water
- 1 to 2 cups cauliflower florets
- 2 carrots, peeled, trimmed, and sliced lengthways and cut in half
- 2 turnips, trimmed, and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
- 2 lemons, unpeeled, and cut into 3/4-inch pieces
- 2 baby cucumbers, trimmed and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
- 8 garlic cloves, cut in half
- 2 baby eggplants, trimmed and cut in half lengthways
- 1 tbsp fennel seeds, coarsely crushed with a mortar and pestle
- 1 tbsp coriander seeds, coarsely crushed with a mortar and pestle
- 1 tbsp nigella seeds
- 1 tbsp mustard seeds, coarsely crushed with a mortar and pestle
- 1 tbsp cumin seeds, coarsely crushed with a mortar and pestle
- 1 tbsp fenugreek seeds
- 1 tbsp turmeric
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 8 whole dried long red chilies
- 2 cups olive oil or mustard oil
Instructions
- Bring four cups vinegar, water, and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the cauliflower, carrots, turnip, lemon, cucumber, garlic, and eggplant and bring to a boil again. Boil for 4 to 5 minutes or until the carrots and turnip are slightly softened, then remove the pan from the heat.
- Transfer the vegetables to a large, dry bowl with a slotted spoon, discarding the liquid. Set aside for two hours to cool completely.
- Add all the spices, dried chilies, and 1 tablespoon salt to the cooled vegetables, stirring gently to coat and combine. Cover the bowl with a lid and set aside for three hours for the flavors to infuse.
- Pour the oil and 1/3 cup vinegar over the vegetables and mix gently to combine well. Refrigerate torshi masalahdar in a large, sealed sterilized jar for at least one week before enjoying as an accompaniment to any main meal.
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