Star Gooseberry (small amla) pickle

These berries are from the amla (nellikai) family, their shape is star like or flower like, and they differ a bit in taste, they taste more sour. And that's how it stands apart from the normal Amla pickle. This pickle is very easy to make, you just need 15 to 20 min but tastes mind blowing.

Ingredients:

Note : The below quantities are approximate values. You can adjust as per your taste.

Star gooseberry (chinna nellikai) : 150g
Gingley oil : 150 ml
Red chilli powder : 50g
Salt : 3 to 4 tbsp
Dry roasted Fenugreek powder: 0.5 to 0.75 tsp
Asafoetida/Hing : 1 tsp
Mustard seeds : 1 tsp
Turmeric : 1/4th tsp

Method:

1. Wash the gooseberries well and pat them dry. Make sure there is no moisture.
2. With a knife, slit the gooseberry from four sides. Do not cut them into pieces, this slit is just to make the berries absorb the spices well.
3. Heat 75ml oil (or half the quantity) in a pan/kadhai, add mustard seeds and let it crackle. Add the gooseberries, salt and turmeric. Mix well and saute them for 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Gradually the skin will starts to wrinkle. Now add red chilly powder, asafoetida, fenugreek powder and the remaining oil. Mix well and saute for 5 minutes. Switch off the flame. Allow it to cool and come down to room temperature. Store it in a small pickle jar or any air tight container.

You can store this pickle for 15-20 days, else for up to 2 months if refrigerated.