Dates Pickle | Eenthappazham Achar (Malabar Style)

Dates pickle / Eenthapazham achar is a speciality of Malabar and it best pairs with Thalassery biriyani.Thalassery biriyani is served with dates pickle unlike the raitha in other biriyani.This pickle has a sweet,tangy & spicy taste.Usually this pickle is blended in a smooth paste form but somehow to me it tastes similar to the Sweet tamarind chutney used in chats and so I avoided that.I have just added & cooked the dates in the pieces form.We love it this way and like it with biriyani.Do try this out if you love the sweet taste of dates in pickles !!!

Ingredients
dates 250 gms(pitted)~35 dates
ginger shredded 1 tbsp
garlic cloves 1 tbsp'
green chillies 2-3 chopped
mustard seeds 1/4 tsp
cumin seeds 1/4 tsp
chilly powder 2 tsp
turmeric powder 1/4 tsp
asafoetida powder 1/2 tsp
salt 1 tsp
sugar 1/4 cup
gingelly oil 2-3 tbsp
vinegar 1/3 cup
water 1/4 cup
curry leaves few

Method
-Chop the dates in small pieces.
-Make a paste with chilly powder ,mustard seeds,cumin seeds & water in the blender.The mustard seeds & cumin seeds can just split up.
-Heat oil in a pan and when the oil is hot ,add the ginger shredded,garlic chopped, green chillies & curry leaves.Add the turmeric powder and asafoetida powder
-Add the chilly paste and vinegar.Bring to a boil.Add the chopped dates and cook for 5-7 minutes till the vinegar is absorbed and dates are softened and cooked.There will be some soft dates pieces left behind to add a nice chewy texture.
-Add the sugar & salt.Put off flame.

Servings ~ a small bowl

NOTES
* Adding sugar adds to the sweeteness,omit if u don't like it very sweet.
* Usually this pickle is made by  blending the dates but we prefer having some chunks in between,so haven't blended it.You can blend if u wish.
* Mustard seeds and cumin seeds need to be just crushed and not powdered.