ACHARA (ATSARA) Recipe

Achara is one of my favorite sauce for fried dishes, grilled meat and also (if you are on a diet) for steamed meat and vegetables. It is also a good appetizer. It is easy to prepare because it is just a combination of vegetables. A very healthy sauce for everyone. Enjoy cooking! Be healthy!

Ingredients: 

• 4 cups grated fresh green papaya
• 1/4 cup salt
• 1 carrot, peeled and sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced into long strips
• 1 (2 inch) piece fresh ginger root, peeled and sliced
• 2 green chile peppers, sliced into thin rings
• 1 (1.5 ounce) box raisins
• 1 cup white vinegar
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt

Cooking Instructions:

• Toss the grated papaya with 1/4 cup salt together in a large bowl; allow to sit for 1 hour.
• Drain the liquid from the papaya and rinse thoroughly.
• Place the papaya in the middle of a large piece of cheesecloth and squeeze to drain as much liquid from the papaya as possible.

• Combine the papaya, carrot, red bell pepper, ginger, green chile peppers, and raisins together in a clean large bowl; mix.

• Transfer the mixture to clean, dry jars with lids.
• Stir the vinegar, water, sugar and 1 teaspoon salt together in a small saucepan; bring to a boil for 5 minutes.

• Pour the vinegar mixture into the jars, making sure the vegetables are completely submerged in liquid.
• Cover the jar air-tight.
• Allow the vegetables to marinate in the liquid at least 1 day before using.
• Store in refrigerator between uses.