
Pickles
The piquant notes merge with the voluptuous hot ones
the sour tanginess enhanced by the pungency of mustard oil
softening under the harsh spotlight of sun
imbibing the notes of various whole spices
fiery notes tango with tart tones
finally ordinary sour, raw mangoes elevated
to a coveted, exalted position as the king of pickles!

Plentiful, succulent, sunshine yellow, tongue curling orbs
cut into petals yet held together at base
drenched in a mix of salt and sugar
then put out to sun in a mason jar
left alone to marinate and stew in their own sour acidity
they mellow gently over the months under the hot sun
tanning from an eye catching yellow to an earthy brown
their taste so unlike what they were born with!

A medley of winter vegetables, peeled and sliced
a handful of mustard powder and some heat- inducing spices
all mixed in a large cauldron over heat
kept in a jaggery and vinegar bath
under the variegated skies of December
till they are cured of their raw texture
cornucopia of tasty crunchy mouthfuls!

My mouth floods with the memories of childhood
the homely dal- rice* or the humble roti-sabzi**
getting a sexy makeover
when paired with the palate tickling pickles
untold happiness in every morsel
handmade traditions passed from one generation to the other
staring at extinction as tastes change
and mass production to suit markets holds sway.
Written for dVerse poetics. Today’s host, Sarah, says: So, your mission for tonight is to write a poem about food – about preparing food, or eating food; about family meals, or posh restaurants; about the emotional heft of a particular dish, the meaning that it brings to your table; about something you love or something you loathe. Maybe your dad always made eggs a certain way, maybe there’s a sauce that reminds you of a lost love, maybe the smell of something takes you back to childhood. Unpack it a little, and share it with us. Maybe we can create a recipe book of memories and associations?
Sarah very sweetly offered me a chance to cheat and post a poem already posted earlier, when I mentioned I have written many verses on food! Since I am in the process of making pickles, I thought I would write about north Indian pickles.
* lentils and rice
** Indian flatbread served with cooked vegetables.
I remember my grandmother used to make pickles like this. As kids it was our job to put them out in the sunlight, give a few shakes to them and bring them in at sunset. Your poem have evoked lot of happy memories.
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Delighted that it brought back childhood memories! We have all done this as kids. 😊
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😍🥰
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oh god – my mouth was watering all the while I was reading this….esp. since I am missing homemade pickles here in Singapore
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I wish I could send you a couple of jars, Shiwani! 😊❤️
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What a befitting ode to pickles Punam. I could taste all of them as I read through your wonderful weave. Garma garam parathe, curd with pickle, tastes so heavenly ❤️
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That’s exactly the way to enjoy pickles, Radhika! 😀 So happy you enjoyed this. ❤️
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This reminds me of the time when I used to love piping hot aloo parathas with pickles. A fitting tribute to them!
And btw,I loved the way you used “Voluptuous” here 🙂
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Hmm! Don’t they taste heavenly! 😊
I am so happy you liked the way I used it, Veera. ❤️
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*faints*
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😱 but why!!
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too much yumminess!
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Lol you gave me a fright! 😅
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Please stop. I’m getting hungry.
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Bo, if only I could ship you some.
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We got hooked on Indian food. It’s out treat on the weekend.
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That sounds great.b
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Such rich description – mouth watering.
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If you like spicy, you will love it, VJ!
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I do, I do!
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😊
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Now my jaw is totally seized up in anticipation of piquant flavours!
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Ah! I am sure you miss all these flavours.
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I do!
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Oh my gosh this is so tantalizing! I’ve had pickled peaches but I’ve never had pickled mangoes. They sound out of this world ☺️💕
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They are sour, tangy and spicy! 😀❤️
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Sounds delicious and exotic ☺️💕
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It sure is.☺️❤️
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This sound so delicious. Imagining the tang and heat on my tongue. My grandma used to can bread and butter pickles that were so tasty, sweet but not spicy. I love fermented foods and they are so good for digestive health. I enjoyed your loving description of the pickles and learned a lot about them.
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If you like spicy, you will love them, Li! Thanks a lot. ❤️
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I do! You’re welcome.
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Punam, it’s not only your talent there are those delicious pickles too. Great post hon ❤️❤️❤️❤️
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Thanks so much, Gabriela, for both. 🥰❤️
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My pleasure hon.
xoxo
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My mouth is literally watering. I love your description of the alchemy of pickle making – and the flavour descriptions are amazing. I’m so glad you didn’t cheat…
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Believe me, Sarah, they are mouth-watering. Thanks so much and I am glad too that I did not cheat. 😊
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Jeez, food. More food. I adore it. Yum, again. Thanks.
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Who does not like food! My pleasure to share, Selma.
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Ah…you evoke memories with every delectable word, and letters. I lived in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia and used to love eating in little Indian cafés, for the food, people and atmosphere…I won’t say which area/food I liked best! I must say a small Afghan place in Saudi used to make very similar to what you describe, as well as the very best bread and ful, which they did almost like dal.
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So glad I could bring back those memories, Ain. I won’t ask what you liked best. Lol
I think food memories help us retain a link with places visited.
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Hehe! I’m sure I’m in the minority of not liking pickled anything! The poem on the other hand is a delightful stroll through your childhood memories and those tastes that trigger them!
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There are many who don’t like pickles. But I am tickled that you still enjoyed the verse, Val.
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Love to read this, I do love pickling myself, but recently I have grown quite fond of Lacto-fermenting no vinegar needed… just some salt and spices and time.
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Oh, that’s great. Yes, I have been doing that too. But our palate is so accustomed to spices that every once in a while there is an intense craving for something hot and tangy.
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Oh my the tingling sensations your poem and pictures brought to my mouth! Add to that the nostalgia of childhood memories associated with these jars of variety pickles – your post has become a complete experience for me :))
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Wonderful! These memories are an integral part of our childhood, isn’t it! 😊
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Yes so good :)))
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🤗
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A great post! Pickles are a wonderful one of a kind food! I love them. My mom used to can them every summer!
Well done!
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Thanks a lot, Dwight. I guess we all have those childhood memories of pickles.
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Oh my, you’ve made me Soooo hungry! 🙂
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Ahh! I wish I could send some to you. ❤️
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If we were next door neighbors we could exchange yummy plates!💖
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Absolutely, my dear! 💞
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💖💝💖
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Superb
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Thank you!
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This is wonderful, Punam! How I would love to try those ‘palate tickling pickles’ 😊
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You may find some in England, I think. 😊
Thank you. ❤️
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Store-bought only 😅
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Yeah! Sadly, not home-made. 😅
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Who would not like to eat pickles. It is one of the best Indian dishes and you presented each pickle so beautifully and mouth watering. Delicious and yummy.
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Thanks a lot, Kamal.
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Welcome always dear Punam 🙏🏼
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Wow, wow, wow! You have composed such a tantalizing poem here 😀 I love; “My mouth floods with the memories of childhood the homely dal- rice* or the humble roti-sabzi** getting a sexy makeover.”
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Thanks so much, Sanaa! 😀 Can’t do without my pickles!
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Wow, so mouth-watering, and a lovely poem, Punam! How is the pickling coming along?
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Ah! Thanks, Irene. The lemons are pickled since there is nothing much to do for that. They should be ready in a couple of months.
The winter vegetables; carrots, turnips and cauliflower, I finished with today. Three- four days of sun and they will be ready for consumption. Thanks for asking.
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Yummy!
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Ahhh, such delicious poetry. I love all of these delicious words and pickled treats! Wonderful write, Punam. ❤️
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Great, you found it delicious, Jeff! Thanks a lot, dear. ❤️
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You’re most welcome, dear Punam. Always! ❤️
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Indian food is really good…i love it..especially the flat bread with different sauces…you made me crave for one now Punam😋
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How wonderful you love Indian food! 😊
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Just delicious, Punam! I am obsessed with mango pickle at the moment, it’s my favourite. I eat it right out of the jar with a spoon. And the humble roti sabzi meal is also my fave 🙂 Right, you’ve made me hungry so I’m off to the pickle jar now…!! ❤
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Nothing to beat mango pickle! I used to do that as a kid, Sunra! 😀
Hope you had your fill…😊❤️
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For yesterday, yes! I shall have some more today (seriously, I have a pickle problem right now!) 🙂
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Pickles should be had everyday. 😀
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All time favorite 👌
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Absolutely! 😊
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I actually don’t like pickles, but I enjoyed the vivid descriptions in your piece
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Then thank you for savouring my words! 😀
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My goodness.. I did I miss this yummy piece.. Awesome.. Mouth watering.. Lol.. 😍😍😄😄👏🏼👏🏼👌🏼👌🏼..
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Aaja…saare aachar khilaungi. 😀😀🤗🤗
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😂😂👏🏼👏🏼💃💃
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