Dish of Pickles for Curry
(click to enlarge)

Pickles for Curry


Japan   -   Fukujinzuke

Serves:
Effort:
Sched:
DoAhead:  
4 soup
**
9-1/4 hrs
Must
Japanese Curry is served with Pickled Ginger and/or Pickles for Curry. It's a fine pickle for other dishes too. See also Comments.

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10
8
4
5
1
5
-----
1/2
1/2
6
1/2
1
1/4
---
5
1/2

---
oz
oz
oz
oz
in
t
---
c
c
T
c

c
---

T

-- Vegies
Daikon Radish
Cucumber (1)
Lotus Root (2)
J Eggplant (3)
Ginger, young (4)
Salt
-- Pickle
Soy Sauce
Mirin
Rice Vinegar
Water
Konbu 2x2 inch (5)
Sugar
-- Finish
Shiso Leaves (6)
Sesame, toasted (7)  

Make:   -   (1-1/4 hr + overnight marinade)
Mix together all vegies in a large mixing bowl as you cut them.
  1. Cut off a length of DAIKON. Cut it lengthwise into quarters, then crosswise thin.
  2. Peel CUCUMBERS leaving stripes of skin lengthwise. Cut crosswise thin.
  3. Cut LOTUS ROOT in quarters lengthwise and slice thin crosswise.
  4. Peel EGGPLANT and cut in half lengthwise, then cut thin crosswise.
  5. Peel GINGER and slice crosswise very thin. Cut slices into thin matchsticks.
  6. With all Vegies in the bowl, add Salt (about 3% of weight of Vegies) and massage them until well coated. Let sit for at least 20 minutes.
  7. Mix together all Pickle items in a pan that will hold the whole recipe (3 quart). Bring almost to a boil and remove Konbu.
  8. Rinse Vegies well, then squeeze them with your hand to remove as much water as you can.
  9. Roll up SHISO LEAVES tightly, parallel to the stem. Slice the roll crosswise thin. Mix with Vegies.
  10. Bring the Pickle Liquid back to a boil. Stir in Vegies and push down into the liquid. Bring back to a boil until the Vegies are crisp tender - a minute or so. Remove them from the pan to a mixing bowl with a slotted scoop.
  11. Pour any liquid drained from the Vegies back into the pan, then bring to a boil until reduced by a quarter.
  12. Pack Vegies into a jar - a 4 cup jar will easily hold this recipe. Pour in enough Pickling Liquid to cover. Seal the jar, let cool and refrigerate overnight. Refrigerated, it will keep at least 5 days.
NOTES:
  1. Cucumber:

      Use Persian or Japanese Cucumber.
  2. Lotus Root:

      These are available in Asian markets, fresh whole with skin on, or peeled and sliced in vacuum packages. For details see our Lotus page.
  3. Eggplant:

      This should be a Japanese Eggplant, which is long and narrow, similar to an Italian Eggplant which can be used as a substitute. For details see our Eggplants page.
  4. Ginger, Young:

      This is seasonal and not always available. If not, use 3/4 inch regular Ginger. For details see our Ginger page.
  5. Konbu:

      This is dried Kelp, available in just about all Asian markets. It has many uses in Japanese cuisine. For details see our Konbu / Kelp page.
  6. Shiso Leaves:

      These leaves are available in East and Southeast Asian markets. For details see Perilla on our Mint Family page.
  7. Sesame Seeds, Toasted:

      These are an essential item for Chinese, Southeast Asian, Japanese and Korean cooking, so should always be on hand for these cuisines. They are available already toasted in Asian markets, but are better and more reliable freshly made at home. See our easy recipe Toasted Sesame Seeds. Sealed in an air tight jar, away from heat and sunlight, they will keep for several months.
  8. Comments:

      In Japan, this pickle is dyed bright red with artificial color. Here in North America we like things more natural, but dye it if you want to.
  9. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch, ar=as required tt=to taste
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