Starfruit (Carambola) Pickles

Carambola or Starfruit is a tart fruit which is used for sourness in curries and also as pickles.  In Konkani it is known as Bimbal or Karambal.  Here is Bimbala Lonche/Nonche/Pickles.

Ingredients:

Starfruit/Carambola/Kamrakh/Bimbal - 1

Fennel/Saunf seeds - 1/2 tsp

Garlic - 2 big cloves

Cayenne pepper/Red chilli powder - 1/2 tbsp

Turmeric/Haldi - 1/8 tsp

Salt - about 1/2 tsp

Oil - about 2 tbsp

Method:

1. Heat oil in a pan and let it cool completely.

2. Wash the starfruit and pat it dry.  Discard the middle slightly hard part of starfruit along with seeds.  Dice it into bite size pieces.  Peel and crush the garlic cloves.  Coarsely grind the fennel seeds.
3. In a mixing bowl, add oil, crushed garlic cloves, ground fennel seeds, cayenne pepper, turmeric and salt.  Mix well with a dry spoon.  Lastly toss in the starfruit pieces and mix to coat them well.  To reduce the tartness, you can add little grated jaggery (or brown sugar).
4. Store the pickles in an airtight container.