INDIAN SWEET-SOUR LIME PICKLE

INDIAN SWEET-SOUR LIME PICKLE image

Yield 3 1/2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 7

12-14 limes
3-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled, thinly sliced and then cut into strips
4 garlic cloves, quartered lengthwise (optional)
6 tsp sea salt
about 3 fresh green chilies
1 cup white wine vinegar
2 cups sugar

Steps:

Cut 6 limes lengthwise into 6 wedges each. Put a layer of lime wedges in the bottom of a wide-necked jar, with their cut sides facing outward. Sprinkle with some of the ginger and someo f the garlic, if using and about 1 tsp of the salt. Repeat the layering process, pressing down on the ingredients slightly to expel air and adding a chili here and there, until the jar is filled to within 1/2 inch from the top. Squeeze the juice from the remaining limes to make a scant 1 cup. Pour into a saucepan with the vinegar and sugar and heat gently, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved, then simmer gently until the mixture becomes slightly syrupy. Pour the mixture into the jar and rotate the jar to expel any air bubbles. If the top layer of limes floats to the surface, weight them down with waxed paper. Cover the jar, seal and process 10 minutes. Leave in a sunny or warm place for 1 month, then store for another 2-4 weeks at room temperature before serving.