South African Lemon Pickle

May 17, 2023May 17, 20230 10

Zesty South African Lemon Pickle for a tangy addition to any meal

by The Chefin Condiment

Prep

15 min

Cook

25 min

Ready In

40 min

Level

Easy

Rating

Ingredients

	10 lemons , rough-skinned ( the thick-skinned , old-fashioned kind of lemon )
	1 cup dark brown sugar , like muscovado
	2 cups apple cider vinegar
	1/2 cup water
	2 teaspoons ground turmeric
	1 tablespoon curry powder , mild , flavourful ( use Cape Malay , or use a good masala )
	1 tablespoon mustard seeds ( pref . yellow )
	2 teaspoons sea salt

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe

Calories

Sugar

18g

Fat

South African Lemon Pickle is a traditional condiment that's popular in Cape Malay cuisine. It's a versatile pickle that's typically served with curries, meats, and stews to add a tangy flavor and cut through the richness of the dish. This particular recipe uses rough-skinned lemons, which have a thicker skin and more tart flavor than regular lemons. The pickle is flavored with turmeric, curry powder, and mustard seeds, which give it a spicy kick and golden color. Try this recipe to elevate your next curry or stew!

Instructions

1.	Cut the lemons into quarters or eighths, depending on their size.
2.	In a large saucepan, combine the brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, water, turmeric, curry powder, mustard seeds, and sea salt.
3.	Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
4.	Add the sliced lemons to the saucepan and bring the mixture back up to a boil.
5.	Reduce the heat to low and let the lemon pickle simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the lemons are soft and translucent.
6.	Once the lemons are soft, remove the saucepan from the heat and let the pickle cool down to room temperature.
7.	Transfer the pickle to a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid and store it in the fridge.
8.	The pickle will be ready to eat in a day or two and will keep in the fridge for several weeks.

PROS

This South African Lemon Pickle is a great way to add zing to your meals, especially meats and stews.

It’s also a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants.

CONS

Lemon pickle is high in sodium and sugar due to the vinegar and brown sugar content, so it should be consumed in moderation.

It’s not suitable for people on low-sodium diets or those who are sensitive to acidic or spicy foods.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Lemons are rich in vitamin C, which is important for immune system function and skin health.
The turmeric in this recipe has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.