Summers reminds me of special pickles. Sindhi Onion Pickle or Basar ji khatairn is one such traditional recipe for indian onion pickle. Basar means onion and khatairn means pickle in Sindhi.This traditional Sindhi pickle is also called as Sandhyala basar .It is mandatory eat in many households to avoid a heat stroke.Summer means there is strong heat everywhere.
This instant onion pickle recipe is quite healthy too. Onions save you from heat and it has a lot of probiotics. Not to mention, also very tasty.It is tangy and helps you digest any khichdi. Other sindhi recipes which can be served with this recipe are Dal pakwan, Kali mirch koki, Onion koki , chauthe, sindhi besani.
No meal is complete without such special tidbits. Flavor packed spoonfuls which make even a bland dish delicious.Even today,many people eat onion and paratha for lunch when on the move. In olden days, ladies would make various pickles in the backyard. These pickles were multi-purpose recipes.
Serving suggestion: You can eat a simple lunch on few days by just pairing it with some pickle.Any paratha tastes great with pickle be it methi thepla or aloo paratha.Juar jo dodho /sorghum roti,dal paratha or stuffed lentil bread.Be it Paneer/mooli/aloo paratha or lauki thepla.
Equipment
- sterilised glass jar
- Mixing bowl
- Cling film
- knife
- saucepan / electric kettle
Ingredients
- baby onions
- red chilli powder
- salt
- turmeric powder
- coarsely ground mustard seeds
refer to recipe card for details.
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Instructions
- Slit the onions.
2.Add the spices ,keep in sunlight. Move it to a jar with water/oil,keep further in sunlight.
- Take a sterilized glass jar and mix the remaining spice with onions.
- Add water and keep the jar in sunlight or warm place for 2-3 days(in winters it might take around a week).The pickle is ready to be consumed.
- Refrigerate once ready.
Basar ji khatairn | Sindhi Onion Pickle recipe
Equipment
- sterilised glass jar
- Mixing bowl
- Cling film
- knife
- saucepan / electric kettle
Ingredients
- 500 gm baby onions/shallots
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
- 2-3 tablespoon coarsely powdered yellow mustard seeds
- ¼ cup oil optional only if you want to make without water
- 1 cup Water boiled and cooled
- 2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Peel onions and rinse well.
- Slit onions (criss-cross) from the larger side half way through.
- Mix all spices with salt.
- Apply spice mix to the onions and let it rest in sun for 2-3 hours.
- Take a sterilized glass jar and mix the remaining spice with onions.
- Add water and keep the jar in sunlight or warm place for 2-3 days(in winters it might take around a week).The pickle is ready to be consumed.
- Refrigerate once ready.
Notes
Do not add water if you want the pickle to be consumed dry. Addition of water will make it bit thin and liquid.
Dry pickle can be stored for a long time at room temperature. If you add water then it needs to be stored in refrigerator.
FAQ
Yes, it has good amount of digestive enzymes and good probiotics.
Contrary to what people feel, that they are too spicy and oily, pickling is actually good for health. Picking is a form of fermentation. Fermented foods help your gut immensely. Onion achar or onion pickle is a favourite. They are loaded with probiotics.In the olden days, people altered their diet, according to the weather. This would help avoid use of medicines unlike today.
If you are vegan, fermented foods helped you with digestion. This pickle especially as onions and salt help you prevent sunstroke. You also enjoy simple recipes more with a little spoonful of achar.Be it dal or pulao or plain curd rice.
Achar ke vichar achche hai!
Conclusion: Basar ji khatairn recipe is how the Indians developed probiotics before others discovered kombucha.
himanshu says
Bhavana, great recipes, very well illustrated and written.
bhavana bhatia says
Thank you Himanshu
Ramesh says
Very testy. Fat free. Full of vitamins. Easy to make.
Gaurav says
Yes Ramesh ji..totally agree
Harish Kumar Lalwani says
Harish Kumar Lalwani
अंग्रेजीअ जा गुलाम सिंधी,
जिनिजी सिंधी बि अंग्रेजीअ में
अहिड़ा सिंधी,
अच्छा लटा पर खीसा खाली,
बैंक बैलेंस न हुजे भली पर
नवां पर्दा,नओं फर्नीचर हुजे
अहिड़ा डे॒खाव वारा सिंधी,
धन्य आही झूलण जा प्यारा
लखनि में हिकु आहीं तूं सिंधी।