Achara Recipe

Also known as "Pickled Papaya or Achara". Great as a side dish for grilled meat or fish.

Ingredients:

2 medium size green papaya, shredded

1 large piece bitter melon, julienne (optional)

1 piece red bell pepper, julienne

1 pieces thumb size ginger, julienne

1 medium size onion, sliced

6 pieces garlic cloves, sliced thin

1/2 cup raisins

1 tablespoon whole peppercorn

1/8 teaspoon turmeric

2 cups datu puti vinegar

4 tablespoon white sugar

4 tablespoon brown sugar

1 teaspoon rock salt

How to:

Step 1: Mix vinegar and regular and brown sugar in a sauce pan. Taste for desired sweet and sour taste. Bring to a quick boil. Remove from heat, add the turmeric for a little color and set aside.

Step 2: Sprinkle shredded papaya with a teaspoon of rock salt and toss well. After few minutes pour 1 cup of water and squeeze out the juices from the papaya using a cheese cloth. Set aside.

Step 3: In a deep bowl mix pepper corn, raisins, bell pepper, ginger, onion, garlic, bitter melon, papaya and toss well.

Lastly: Pour the vinegar mixture over the vegetables. Toss well. Let it stand at least overnight in the fridge before serving.