KARVANDA (KLAAKAI) PICKLE, NATAL PLUM

 Karonda (karvanda): India's answer to cranberries. These pinkish-green  fruits with a few tiny seeds in  have a sourish taste. The flesh is firm  when the fruit is raw. It is also filled with a sticky white fluid.



Biting into a Karonda, you will experience a strange, dry astringent-like feeling in the mouth. Although it definitely tastes weird, it’s really fun to eat with a little sea salt sprinkled on. The raw berries are commonly used for pickling. When ripe,can eat with little salt sprinkled on it.  In front of the school at Powai,  i have seen ladies sitting with karvanda, tamarind, star fruit, etc.

Normally, it is found in the market the ladies sitting down on the footpath with a heaped small measuring cup or bowl (one watta - Rs.5 or Rs.10).  the cost is presently Rs.100/- per kg. Yesterday i happened to be in Mulund and found the same near the stair case at Mulund railway station.  The old lady was selling it with two measuring cups for Rs.5/- &Rs./10/-.  When I saw the same, could not resist myself as the season is of pickle and I love pickles even though I am not supposed to eat it.  But all seasonal pickles, i make little.

Once after coming from Dombivli, we were so hungry, we went to a hotel near Thane station.  Ordered food and were waiting.  by the time, the waiter brought the pickle, onion, water etc and kept on the table.  When I saw the pickle, could not resist myself i picked up one onion slice and put some pickle on it and started eating.  you could not believe, i finished the entire pickle by eating that way, my husband was staring at me.  It was the pickle made of Karvanda and tell you it was Awesome.  You will not believe, I asked the waiter to give me 1/2 kg of this pickle for which I said I will pay but he refused.   so when i see this stuff, i can't resist myself.  you also enjoy.

Karvanda, klakkai, natal plum

watch youtube: karvanda pickle