Athela Marcha Instant Chilli Pickle Condiments

This instant chilli pickle will forever be “Gujarati wedding pickle” in my eyes. The mustard seed-flecked chillies and carrots always have a place at the dinner table.

How to serve Athela Marcha (Instant Chilli Pickle)

This fresh and crunchy pickle is delicious as part of a larger Indian meal. At home, we serve it with daily vegetable curries, rotli and plain yoghurt. On Sunday mornings I love it with a stack of freshly-made Gujarati Thepla and Masala Chai. Style it out and make a Thepla and Athela Marcha rollup, wrap style. It’s a snackable cigar of crunch and happiness!

How to prepare chillies for Athela Marcha

What are some other names for Athela Marcha?

Depending on your location, language and family preferences, you might know this pickle by different names. Some might include:

Raiwala marchaRai vara marchaAthela rai gajarMirchi ki achar

This is by no means an extensive list. If you know this pickle by a different name, let me know in the comments below. I’d love to learn about your version!

The best chilli pickle with mustard seeds

Mustard seeds are a key ingredient in this recipe for Athela Marcha. They provide deep, warming heat and aroma.

What type of mustard seeds should I use Athela Marcha (Instant Chilli Pickle)?

Athela Marcha call for split, skinned mustard seeds, also known as rai kuria. They are available in most Indian food shops or online. Rai Kuria, also known as Rai dal is mustard seeds with the skin removed, then split. Rai kuria are the main ingredient in making many Indian pickles.

To add mango or not to add mango?

My recipe for Athela Marcha includes raw green mango. My family’s East Africa ties have lead us to create a version of this Gujarati pickle with sour raw mango. The combination of spicy chilli, crunchy carrot and mouth-puckering mango is simply irresistible. If you’re not a fan of raw mango, simply add more carrots or chillies instead.

How to store Indian chilli pickle

Almost every ingredient in this pickle serve to aid preservation. Salt, turmeric, citric acid and oil being the core natural preservatives. Once mixed, pile your instant chilli pickle into a sterilised jar and store it in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 3 weeks.

What can I use instead of citric acid?

Unless you cook Indian food or make a lot of your own preserves, I understand that citric acid might not be a usual store cupboard ingredient for you. If you don’t have citric acid, don’t buy a whole bag just for the small amount needed in this recipe. Simply replace the citric acid in this recipe with the juice of 2 large lemons.

In my experience, citric acid keeps the carrots and chillies crunchier for much longer than chilli pickle made with lemon juice.