Ingredients:

• Vegetables: Common vegetables used in mixed pickle include carrots, cauliflower, green mangoes, lime, turnips, and green chilies.
• Fruits: Some recipes may include fruits like raw papaya or even berries for added sweetness and tartness.
• Spices: Mixed pickle is characterized by a mix of aromatic spices such as mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, asafoetida (hing), turmeric, red chili powder, and sometimes nigella seeds (kalonji).

Preparation:

• Chopping: Vegetables and fruits are typically chopped into bite-sized pieces or slices.
• Spice Blend: The chopped ingredients are then mixed with a spice blend, and sometimes oil and vinegar or lemon juice are added to create a pickling liquid.
• Fermentation: Some mixed pickles undergo a fermentation process, allowing the flavors to intensify over time.

Flavor Profile:

• Spicy: Mixed pickles are known for their bold and spicy flavor due to the combination of various spices.
• Tangy: The use of souring agents like raw mangoes or lime adds a tangy element to the pickle.
• Savory: A combination of savory spices and the inherent umami of fermented pickles contributes to the overall savory taste.

Texture:

• Crunchy: The vegetables and fruits in mixed pickle can maintain a crunchy texture, especially if the pickle is not fermented for an extended period.

Culinary Uses:

• Side Dish: Mixed pickle is commonly served as a side dish with various meals, especially in South Asian cuisine.
• Condiment: It can be used as a condiment to add flavor to rice dishes, flatbreads, or sandwiches.

Regional Variations:

• Diverse Recipes: Different regions have their own variations of mixed pickle, incorporating local ingredients and spices.
• Seasonal Ingredients: The choice of vegetables and fruits may vary based on seasonal availability.

Preservation:

• Long Shelf Life: Mixed pickles have a long shelf life due to the pickling process, allowing them to be stored for an extended period.

Homemade vs. Commercial:

• Customization: Homemade mixed pickles provide the flexibility to customize the spice levels and ingredients. Commercial versions may have variations in flavor and texture.