Making of Vadu Manga pickle

Yesterday we bought a kilogram of tiny mangoes which are called vadu manga in Tamil.

They are tiny baby raw mangoes. They fall off the trees on their own without getting a chance to grow big. The fall could be due to strong winds, weak flowers which manage to morph into mangoes but have no sustaining power to grow big, birds' interferance, human intervention, etc.

Whatever the cause for their fall, these mangoes are of no use as they taste sour. But Indian grandmas of the past never let go the opportunity to make something of it! So these were patiently picked, sand and dust washed off them, wiped dry, coated with castor oil, pickled with rock salt until they turned tender in about a week. Finally the free following brine (salt water) was reused to soak up some dry red chillies, mustard seeds of which a fine paste was made and returned back to the glass jar of the salted mangoes. The mangoes are left to soak in the spice newly introduced. The taste is very unique, spicy and tangy. Goes very well with curd rice or dosa.

First picture shows the mangoes being salted. Next they are filled in glass jars and capped tight.

It will take 4 to 5 days to get softer after which the spicy paste will be introduced to give it the bite.

Raw mangoes, raw tamarind, ripe red big chillies, gooseberries and many more are pickled. They are nature's way of heralding the onset of summer in the tropics.

Mahalakshmi.

Deep Slumber

Had been to yet another house where my relative's mother-in-law had passed away. These past few months have seen me attending many death ceremonies.

She had been ailing since a very long time now. Had multiple fractures and corrective surgeries. Yet this person whom we fondly called 'Kaamu Maami' loved and lived life to the hilt.

Her diamond ear studs and nose rings would glitter whenever she turned her head this way and that which was quite often as she loved talking to people.

Two sons and a daughter doted on her and fulfilled every wish she could make known. She was strong willed. Never hesitated to ask for things from husband when he was alive and later her children. Loved kanchipuram silk sarees and leaves behind quite a collection and ditto with matching gold jewellery. She would search for an excuse to buy a silk saree or a piece of jewellery. She would then be raring to attend social functions and meet people, exchange notes, enjoy the food, etc.

She lived life to the fullest. Her sons and daughter attended on her in turns when she took very ill a decade back till her end came today. She took all the help that came her way, she never felt she was a burden for her children. Her eldest son who was visiting his son preponed and arrived 24 hours before the event. Both spent time talking and she had told him she could pass away peacefully now since he has come back to Chennai. She was hanging on to dear life waiting to see her eldest son.

Since she loved good food, I am planning to take a couple of dishes for the family within the next 10 days as is the tradition among us Tambrams (Tamil Brahmins). May her soul rest in deep slumber.

Mahalakshmi.