While mom lived with her in-laws in Allahabad, she’d make all sorts of pickles, jams, and jellies from the fruit growing in my dad’s family’s garden. One of those fruits was a pinkish-white berry called karonda, which just so happens to look very similar to a cranberry. They are both about the same size, and they are both sour berries.
It’s not possible to find karonda here in the US (at least, not that I’m aware of), so my mom uses cranberries instead. This is her karonde ka achar, only made with cranberries.
It has taken me a long time to share my mom’s pickle recipes here on the blog, and I think I know the reason why. Pickles are a test of patience and trust, two skills that I probably need to work on. Pickles are not difficult to make, but they require time.
Before you can start, you have to wash and dry the fruit (or vegetable) that you’re making a pickle out of; they must be thoroughly dry – sometimes, you have to use paper towels to be sure. Then you have to cut them. Just a heads up, if pickles are a test of patience, this cranberry pickle will test your limits. Slicing through handfuls of tiny cranberries is a painstaking process.
Add freshly ground spices, salt, and oil. After that, there’s nothing to do but wait and trust the process.
Depending on the pickle, the length of time varies. Some pickles take days, weeks, or even months to reach their peak flavor. This cranberry pickle takes around a week for the fruit to release its juices and for the spices to mingle and intensify in flavor. Eat it too soon, and you’ll be eating bitter, raw berries. Wait until it’s ready, and you’ll be rewarded a pickle that’s well-balanced in flavor – salty, sour, a bit spicy.
I think there’s a reason my mom is so good at making pickles. She’s a very patient and trusting person. I suppose you’d have to be to live with your brand new in-laws for a year, to eventually be with your husband, who you’d only met for the first time on your wedding day.
Happy 37th wedding anniversary to my parents, who, like pickles 😂, have only grown better together with time. ❤️
Like this recipe? Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board now so you will remember to make it later!
