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Figs Thokku / Anjeer Thokku / Anjeer (figs) Instant Pickle

Vidya Narayan

Figs Thokku / Anjeer Thokku / Anjeer (figs) Instant Pickle

There are some days when I am happy cooking the regular stuff and blogging whereas there are some days when I get all wild in the kitchen space and get all the pans / kadhais possible to dish out various things that are available in the fridge. Discovering Figs Thokku was something that I never planned in the first place. The other day, when I went to buy some vegetables, my fruit vendor insisted I buy these fresh figs. Honestly, I haven’t bought much fresh figs as we both don’t drink a lot of milkshakes at home except during summers and also, the dried ones are always available at home especially for Narayan who loves these more than me. But then I thought, lets make a nice Fig Jam and Narayan would love it. Having that thought in mind, I bought a box of these 12 nos. to be precise.

So I cut a fig and tasted it, didn’t like it too much. I don’t like dried figs either by the way. So I took the sugar out to make the jam. Then suddenly, I have no idea what struck me, I took the chilli powder out and said, Iska toh Acchar hi banega ab.. and what a discovery it was, delicious, fingerlicking thokku that could give Manga Thokku or Mango Pickle a run for its money.

The day I made the pickle was also the day I walked for almost 10 kms and my legs were killing me along with my back. Had been teaching kids plus cooking / baking etc and also doing some prep work for the weekend meals. So, I decided to play a guessing game with my friends on Facebook by posting a pic of this thokku and asking them to guess the ingredients. While most of them guessed the other ingredients like lemon juice, salt, chilli powder etc but the key ingredient remained a mystery, until I revealed it to them after some time, much to their shock! The responses and the few licks of the pickle here and there made me forget about the pain altogether.

I am an eternal pickle lover and make very fine pickles at home which I distribute to friends and family members. My husband always encourages me to sell my stuff as its pretty delicious, in his words. Anything in season, I make pickles. I am anticipating Mangoes in another week or so in the market here and will be all set to make fresh batches of pickles.

Making the figs pickle taught me an important lesson – Take a risk in life, it pays. I need to take more such risks in life, not that I haven’t earlier, but I think I should surpise myself often – Good surprises are always welcome, isn’t it? Okay, thinking about this, I wonder, what if the pickle preparation had gone south? Take risks but don’t expect them to guarantee the best results always. Always smile and work it out the next time!

Here’s to staying positive, taking risks like a boss!

Recipe for Figs Thokku / Anjeer Thokku / Anjeer (figs) Instant Pickle

Makes a small bowl of pickle

Ingredients 

  1. Fresh Figs / Anjeer – 6 nos.
  2. Mustard seeds – ½ tsp
  3. Red chilli powder – 1.5 tblsp
  4. Lemon Juice of half a lemon
  5. Jaggery – 1 tblsp
  6. Sesame Oil – 1.5 tblsp
  7. Salt as per taste

Method

  1. Clean, pat dry the anjeer and roughly chop them.
  2. Blend them into a mixer grinder until it forms a smooth paste. Don't add water.
  3. Heat a pan, add oil and then the mustard seeds, once it crackles, add the fig paste.
  4. At this point, turn the heat at the lowest point, else the fig paste will splutter and be all over the place due to its moisture content.
  5. Let it cook for some time, say 3-4 odd minutes and then add the jaggery, red chilli powder, salt to taste along with lemon juice.
  6. Keep stirring the mixture until it thickens up (as per the pic) – Another 2-3 minutes.
  7. Switch off the flame, remove the pan from heat and allow it to cool down completely before transferring to a clean and dry glass container / jar.
  8. This pickle stays good for over a week but sadly, it wont last for even 2 days at home, I guarantee.

Recipe Notes

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Vidya Narayan

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