Brinjal Eggplant (Aubergine) Pickle (Goa, India)

This is a famous and very popular Brinjal-Eggplant Pickle recipe from Goa, India

• Ready In: 6 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 72
• Yields: 6 cups

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 kg eggplants (brinjal)
• 4  ounces ginger (5 inch)
• 6  ounces garlic cloves (3 North American large pods or 6 small pods)
• 5  ounces chili powder
• 1  tablespoon turmeric powder
• 2  tablespoons black mustard seeds, powdered
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons fenugreek seeds, roasted and powdered
• 2  tablespoons cumin seeds, roasted and powdered
• 3⁄4 cup salt
• 1  cup sugar
• 1 1⁄2 cups  mustard oil (Indian grocery store) or 1 1⁄2 cups  vegetable oil
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons tamarind pulp or 1 1⁄2 tablespoons tamarind paste
•  curry leaf, from Indian grocery store (optional)
• 1 1⁄4 cups vinegar

Directions

1. Julianne or dice small brinjal-eggplant.
2. Layer brinjal with salt alternately. Let stand 4-5 hours till water separates from vegetable.
3. Squeeze in handfuls brinjal till water is removed. Keep in separate bowl.
4. Grind ginger and garlic in some of the vinegar to paste.
5. Heat oil till smoke starts rising. Fry brinjals two hand fulls at a time. Drain with slotted spoon and set aside. Wait for water to evaporate from oil, till the bubbles stop before frying another lot of brinjal.
6. Add and fry garlic and ginger paste for 5 minutes.
7. Add dry spices, fry 2 minutes.
8. Add vinegar and tamarind, mix well for 1 minute.
9. Add curry leaves and sugar, mix well.
10. Add brinjal mix well and cook 1-2 minutes.
11. Cool and bottle.