Pickles are a must-have for Sinhala New Year, and they're easy to make. Sinhala pickle has always been on our New Year's lunch table, and my father loved Malay Pickle. This year, I made Sinhala pickle following my mother's instructions.
Ingredients: Carrots, Green Chillies, Onion, Mustard, Vinegar, Turmeric Powder (Traditional Sinhala Pickle uses raw papaya, but we couldn't find this time.)
How I made:
Cut carrots lengthwise and dry them with a cloth to remove moisture. Wash the green chillies well and cut them in half. Wash and cut the onion also.
Use a clay pot for making pickle to avoid reacting with vinegar and other ingredients. Prepare a mixture using vinegar, turmeric, onion, and mustard (mustard cream can be used for convenience). Heat the clay pot on low flame and add the mixture. Add chopped carrots, green chillies, and red onions to the pot and mix well.
Do not add water, as it can spoil the pickle. The pickle is best enjoyed after two days, so cover the bowl tightly with a cloth.