We’re taking exotic to a whole new level with this one. Fresh bambooshoots from the hills of Himachal, pickled and bottled for your leisurely tasting. ;)

Amritsar’s proximity to the hills of Himachal meant that we had lots of impromptu vacations as children. A mere 3-hour drive away, the hills of Himachal were like a shining beacon for us – a haven where long, lazy, idyllic days were spent clambering up trails, climbing trees, gazing at snow-capped peaks, eating delicious food and sipping warming drinks. For Ammiji, the proximity to the hills meant that she had even more ingredients to bring into her kitchen. Bambooshoot was one of them.

Himachal Pradesh is the only state in North-Western India where Bamboo grows wild and in abundance. The Northeastern states have been including the tender, young shoots of bamboo in their brilliant cuisine for years now. But in Himachal most bamboo grows to maturity, and is put to other uses. It is only a small percentage that is picked at the onset of the monsoon season, when still young, and is used for culinary purposes. This year, we managed to lay our hands on a small portion of that harvest, and of course, brainstormed with Ammiji about how to go about pickling it. Ammiji had all the answers for us – and that’s why she’s our Ammiji!

So here it is. Crispy, crunchy, woodsy young bambooshoot, pickled in selected spices and cold-pressed mustard oil. Full of dietary fibre, amino acids, proteins, vitamins and minerals, bambooshoots are what some would term a superfood. They have antibacterial, antiviral and anticancer properties, which make them the ideal addition to your mealtimes.

And the taste! We ourselves were pleasantly surprised by the matured pickle – the complexity of the flavours, the fragrance of the spices and texture of the shoots themselves makes for a pickle that is not only an exotic treat, but a rare delicacy too!

Ingredients: Bambooshoots, Salt, Red Chilli, Turmeric, Clove, Cinnamon, Brown Cardamom, Dry Mango Powder, Fenugreek Seeds, Nigella Seeds, Pipli, Black Pepper, Mace, Nutmeg, Garam Masala, Onion, Garlic, Ginger, Cold-pressed Mustard Oil.

Weight: 300 gm Net, Good for: 6 months, Refrigerate for longer shelf life. Always use a dry, clean spoon.