During the mango season in the summer in Punjab, one can see at least two or three earthenware jars full of pickled raw mangoes maturing in the sun outside homes. This typical Punjabi recipe for making mango pickle is most popular in the region. The combination of fennel seeds, nigella seeds with mustard and other pickling spices is what distinguishes this mango pickle from its Gujarati counterpart methia keri. Sun-dried mangoes used in this pickle impart a salty chewy taste and also improve the shelf life of the pickle. Alternatively, use mangoes in brine, just drain the mangoes out of the brine solution and mix them with pickling spices. This is a very simple recipe to follow. Just keep in mind the basics of pickle making - use a clean sterilised jar, see that there is no moisture and ensure that mustard oil forms a covering layer over the ingredients in the jar.
As a child, I used to stand by my mother's side when she used to pickle baby mangoes. The sight of miniature mangoes being poured into pickle jars was always a treat to watch and the baby mangoes Were fun to eat. Raw baby mangoes are approximately 12 mm. to 25 mm. (½" to 1") in size and are available just before the mango season begins i.e. before summers. You will find these at specialty vegetable vendors, so look out for them. Baby mangoes can be pickled using any mango pickle recipe or they can be preserved in brine (which is a salt solution). I personally like to preserve them in brine. The mangoes stay crisp and firm with a predominantly salty taste. You can drain out the brine preserved mangoes and combine them with pickling spices and oil to make a quick, out-of-season baby mango pickle. While brining these mangoes, be careful to retain the small stalks of the baby mangoes. They help to preserve the mangoes for a longer period. However, if you do not find baby mangoes, use raw mango pieces which taste just as good but do not look as pretty and petite.
Cucumber and carrots tossed in a tangy yellow mustard flavoured spice blend. Choose bright red coloured carrots that are sweet tasting for this recipe, as they blend beautifully with the tangy marinade. This pickle is often served as a variant to a salad in several Gujarati homes. Several instant and traditional pickles are laid out at the time of lunch or dinner for the diner to take his pick. No Gujarati meal is ever complete without pickles. This pickle does not last for many days, but it is not supposed to as it is meant to be consumed with the meal so that a whole new range of pickles can be prepared for the next meal.