HOW TO PRESERVE GOOSEBERRIES - GOOSEBERRIES IN BRINE

     Though Mangoes are synonymous to pickling in India, seasonal produce like Gooseberries, Lemon etc., find their place in an Indian pantry in terms of storage and preservation for later use.  Pickling has an age-old history & tradition which reflects every part of the world which is still prevalent in Indian households. Drying the produces in Sun or Pickling them in Vinegar or curing it with Salt or in Brine are few methods used for preserving the produces.  BRINE is basically a salt solution. Also Pickling in brine is free from any pathogenic bacteria. Pickling was one method to ensure year-long availability of seasonal products.
     Gooseberries of good quality, unspoiled ones without blemishes can be used for the purpose. Utter care should be taken before pickling them.  Thoroughly sterilize and dry the utensils or jars.  Wash and dry the Gooseberries before adding them into the brine.
     When it comes to preserved Gooseberries I cannot surely brush off my article without writing about my memories related to it.  When I was in my Primary Classes, my school was just a street away.  So there was no need of carrying Lunch Boxes or snacks for recess.  My classmates used to bring their lunch boxes and at least a few bought their snacks for recess time.  As a kid, I was always fancied by those packed snacks in colourful snack boxes.  It was during a season that they started bringing Salted Gooseberries along with Salt & Red Chilli Powder.  It became a trend around the classroom that I literally was urged to do the same.  As a common scenario, my Mom had a big bottle of Salted Gooseberries, well seasoned and cured.  As simple as that I planned to ask her to pack some for my recess period.  When I asked her, my so-called strict mother said, will anybody take such things to school?!!! Oh no, all my expectation went down the drain.  I was totally disappointed.  A few days later I took courage to take few Gooseberries and packed them in a Paper torn out from my notebook.  I even managed to pack some Red Chilli Powder and Salt.  Stealthily I kept it safe inside my school bag.  Mind you, I was only 6 years old then...  Next day, as usual, I took my bag and was about to leave to School, misfortune hit my way or maybe even panic could have struck my conscience... I dropped my bag, all the books along with those Gooseberries fell down.  Needless to say the look in my Mom's face.  What happened next is a history which everybody can guess...
      Another anecdote related to Salted Gooseberries goes with my husband.  If I start the story with the line... Once upon a time, there lived a naughty boy, it would be an understatement.  He is still the naughtiest.  A cranky little boy who has a great love for food.  His love for eating is so that he even forgets the school bag to school, but never his lunch bag.  He would always say who went to school to study?  I always wanted to play and eat.  When he was in Primary classes he studied in a convent.  The Nuns who were his teachers sold Salted Gooseberries to kids during the recess time. It was my husband's duty to sell those Gooseberries to his fellow classmates.  He loved to do the job because he stealthily took few cloves of Gooseberries floating apart in the jar, which those Nuns rarely noticed. A reward gifted by himself for the duty he was rendered into.  He has lots of stories related to food during his childhood days and this particular one always reminds me that every kid would have some memory related to such simple goodies back then.        
Cuisine - Indian
Recipe Type - Pickling
Difficulty - Easy
Yields - 2- 21/2 Cups
Author - SM

Preparation Time - 10 - 15 Minutes
Cooking Time - 5 Minutes 
Maturing Time - Few Weeks

HOW TO PRESERVE GOOSEBERRIES - GOOSEBERRIES IN BRINE

HOW TO PRESERVE GOOSEBERRIES - GOOSEBERRIES IN BRINE

INGREDIENTS :

Gooseberries - 500 Gms
Salt - 1/2 Cup
Warm Water - 1/4 Cup

METHOD :

• Boil the water and allow it to cool.
• Clean the Gooseberries and allow them to dry on a clean kitchen towel.
• Wipe them off with a clean cloth to get rid of any extra wetness.
• Take a clean and dry Bottle or Bharani (Porcelain Jar).
• Put some salt at the bottom of the Jar.
• Put few Gooseberries over it.
• Again put some Salt and top it up with Gooseberries.
• Follow the suit until all the Gooseberries are salted.
• Close the lid of the jar and mix well, until the Gooseberries are well coated with Salt.
• Pour warm water into the jar and mix well.
• Tightly close the jar and keep it aside in a dry & dark place for a few weeks.
• Stir the Gooseberries every two days, so that the essence of Gooseberries are well infused into the brine.
• Initially, the Gooseberries would float over the brine, but gradually they would absorb the brine and double their size.
• Gooseberries will be ready within a few weeks time.
• These can be stored in a dry and dark place.
• In humid climates, it is advisable to keep them refrigerated to avoid spoilage.

NOTES :

• This Brine preserved Gooseberries make tasty and unique, briny & spiced pickles, which taste awesome with curd rice.
• Avoid using steel/aluminium/copper container for preserving the Gooseberries, as they tend to react with the acidic nature of salt and Gooseberries.
• A suitable method is to store them in Clean and dry sterilized Glass/Ceramic/Porcelain Jars.
• Always use clean & dry spoons while handling these preserved Gooseberries. 
• Wet jars/spoon can spoil the pickle as the moisture in them helps in the growth of Fungus and that would spoil the Gooseberries. 
• If stored properly, these preserved Gooseberries can last for a year or so.
• Can use these preserved Gooseberries to prepare Gooseberries Pickle, Gooseberry Pachadi, Gooseberry Chutney etc., (Just use the Gooseberries and adjust the amount of salt in the recipe).