Skip to main content

Lime Pickles

These pickled limes use Vadouvan spice blend, sometimes labeled French curry, a combination of Indian spices often including curry leaves, fenugreek, mustard seeds, coriander, shallots, and garlic. The exact blend depends on who makes it. It is aromatic and gives a haunting depth of flavor to the finished pickles. They are wonderful with fish, pork, and roasted vegetables and add a subtle tang to sauces, rice pilafs, or creamy grits. Lime pickles can be finely chopped into a condiment, used whole in braises, or thinly sliced and gently fried. Once you taste them, a world of possibilities opens up before you.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 2 quarts

Ingredients

15 limes
3 tablespoons/54 grams fine sea salt
3 jalapeños, cut into 1/2-inch (1.25-centimeter) slices
1 cup/100 grams Vadouvan spice blend (see Sources, page 309)
1 1/2 cups/300 grams rice bran oil
Mason jars, sterilized

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Wash and dry the limes. Cut each lime into 8 sections. Squeeze the juice from each section into a large bowl and add the lime as well. Add the salt and mix thoroughly.

    Step 2

    Place the jalapeños, spice blend, and rice bran oil in a heavy-bottomed pot set over medium heat. Cook the mixture until the jalapeños begin to sizzle, about 5 minutes, then pour it into the bowl with the limes. Use a spoon to mix the ingredients thoroughly.

    Step 3

    Put the mixture in pickling jars, packing the contents down to remove any air, and refrigerate for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, the limes are ready to use. They will last indefinitely.

Ideas in Food
Read More
Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.
Juicy peak-season tomatoes make the perfect plant-based swap for aguachile.
With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.
This no-knead knockout gets its punch from tomatoes in two different ways.
With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.
Roasted poblanos, jalapeños, and red onion are coated with a melty sauce—warm with the flavors of pepper jack, and stabilized with a block of cream cheese.
A garlicky pistachio topping takes this sunny summer pasta from good to great.
This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.