Khatta Metha Nimbu Ka Achar /Sweet and sour Lemon Pickle

A delicious oil free, sweet and sour lemon pickle

I love to eat and make pickles! I learnt this from my grandmother(Nani), who was an expert in the art of pickling. She would make huge jars of different pickles for all of us, every year. In India we make a huge variety pickles from both fruit and vegetables, seasonal and year round. Mango and lemon pickle are the favorites and as they have a long shelf life are made in large quantities. I make few different versions of the lemon pickle, and today I am sharing the sweet and sour lemon pickle. This pickle takes about a month to mature and has a long shelf life ( stays well till it ends:) ). 
I have also posted Orange pickle, Mango and chick pea pickle, Tindli Pickle, Punjabi mix veg pickle and other seasonal pickles on my blog.

INGREDIENTS-

• Indian yellow lemons-800 gms *
• Salt-150 gms
• Turmeric-3/4 tsp
• Chili powder- 2.5 tsp
• Cumin seeds-1.5 tsp
• Fenugreek seeds-1.5 tsp
• Mustard seeds-1 tsp
• Grated ginger-2 tbsp
• Asafoetida-1/2 tsp
• Sugar- 2 cup

PROCEDURE-

1. Wash and wipe lemons with a cloth,there should not be any moisture on the lemons.
2. Now chop the lemons into small pieces(8-12 pieces from a lemon)
3. In a pan dry roast cumin,fenugreek and mustard seeds to a nice golden colour(dont over do this)on slow flame, then grind to make a powder.
4. Mix salt, turmeric ,asafoetida,1.5 tbs lemon juice and ground spices in the chopped lemon pieces and mix well.
5. Cover the jar and keep aside for a month so the lemon  skin will become soft due to the salt.keep shaking the jar once in a day.
6. After a month when lemon peel become soft, add the sugar and grated ginger in lemons and mix well .
7. Cover the jar mouth with a muslin cloth and try to keep the jar in sunlight for few hours daily for approx 2 weeks or till the sugar will melt and the syrup become thick. 

Serving Suggestions-taste great with paratha,rice and khichdi .

My Notes-
1-I have used small Indian yellow lemons.
2-If you add sugar in the beginning then lemon peels will take longer time to soften .
3- You may also add some chopped green chilies to it at step 6.