Eenthapazham Achar/Dates Pickle

Eenthapazham/Dates pickle is a delicious sweet and spicy pickle/ condiment. I often make sweet and sour pickles and this dates pickle is one of my favorite. This is inspired by the dates curry that is usually served with biryani and other non-vegetarian feasts. You can also serve this for Sadhya.

Eenthapazham achar is served along with biryani is very tasty. The first time I tasted this yum combo is from Kayees restaurant in Kochi. If you are a mallu and ardent lover of biryani you must have heard about the famous Kayee's biryani. The dates pickle served there is towards the runny side, like a curry. I wanted to make a big batch, so made a drier version. This is a delightful pickle that will tickle your taste buds. So next time when you make biryani, try pairing with dates pickle, you will surely love it.

Ingredients
Dates - 2 cup
(seedless and chopped)
Ginger- 2 tbs chopped
Garlic- 2-3 pods
Shallot- 1 finely chopped
Tamarind- small ball
Jaggery- 2 tsp (powdered)
Green chilly-3
Curry leaves- a few
Chilly powder-2 tsp
Fenugreek powder- 1/2 tsp
Hing/asfotida- 1/8 tsp
Cumin powder- 1/8 tsp
Oil
Mustard seeds- 1/3 tsp
Vinegar- 1/3 cup
salt to taste

Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. Wait till they splutter and add chopped shallots, ginger, garlic, green chilly and curry leaves. Saute till it turns golden brown.
Add chilly powder, hing, fenugreek powder, cumin powder, salt and saute it low heat for a few seconds.
Add the chopped dates and saute till the dates turns soft . Mix the tamarind pulp and continue cooking in low flame till it is well cooked and mushy.
Add powdered jaggery and mix till well blended. Finally add the vinegar and mix and switch off the flame. Allow it to cool down completely and store in dry and air tight container. Serve with rice or with biryani.