Neer Sundaikaai/Turkey berry in brine, is a simple method to preserve fresh sundaikaai/turkey berries. A relatively simple process just throwing the cleaned berries into salt water, and you can use them anytime.
Neer Sundaikaai, never knew we can brine turkey berry. This recipe such a keeper, that too if you get fresh turkey berries. I came across this recipe here, since i had some fresh berries in hand and was looking for interesting recipes, i tried this immediately. Once brined, the turkey berries can be used in variety of recipes.
How to use turkey berries
Pacha sundaikaai pulikuzhambu, is a spicy tamarind gravy made with fresh berries. Fresh berries are bitter and are an acquired taste. But if you like bitter gourd , then you will not mind the bitterness of turkey berry. Dried turkey berries are used in gravies when we dont have fresh berries.
More kuzhambu/yogurt gravy or a simple stir fry in ghee are few dishes made with brined turkey berries. Dried berries can be made into rice mix powders, like Sundaikaai podi which can be mixed with rice for a quick mixed rice.
Medicinal value
The medicinal value of turkey berries are innumerable. Amma makes sundaikaai regularly and especially after a bout antibiotics to improve the gut health. The berries are widely used to treat indigestion and intestinal worms.
As kids we would despise amma for forcing us to eat these bitter berries, but the taste grew on us, atleast me. I love turkey berries and try to include in my regular cooking as much as possible.
We get dried turkey berries easily , but fresh ones are available only in vegetable markets and not in all grocery shops. Last week, i went to the Vegetable market and was happy to find some fresh sorrel leaves and fresh turkey berries. The first thing i did after coming home was to brine these berries.
How it is done?
The process is simple. Clean the berries. They usually grow as clusters. Remove the stem of the berries, discard any black color or spoiled berries. Once cleaned wash them in fresh water.
Then drain them well in a colander. I usually leave the berries in the colander for 15-20 minutes.
Boil 2 cups of water, add salt to the berries, add the boiling water to the berries. Keep it covered, once it cools down, store it in an clean glass jar. I refrigerate and use it.
Neer Sundaikaai | Turkey Berry in Brine
Ingredients
- 1 cup Fresh Turkey Berry/Sundaikaai
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Clean the berries, discard any black or discolored berries. Use only green color berries
- Wash the berries in running water. Drain them well. I leave them in colander until i use them
- Boil 2 cups of water. I used my kettle to boil water, you can also do this on stove-top
- Take the drained sundaikaai/turkey berries in a clean vessel. Add salt and the boiling water to it.
- Keep it covered. Let it cool down completely. Store it in a clean glass jar. i prefer to refrigerate.
Video
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Srividhya
sundakai vathal sadam with ghee.. yaar you are making me drool here. as you mentioned, this is perfect for indigestion. Love these home remedies. great share.
Sharmila kingsly
Yummy.. Never though to try this in home.. Awesome share..
Sandhiya
It's new to me also, thanks for sharing.Such a great idea.how long we can store like this?
vaishali sabnani
New to me , never heard of these berries ! Making any preserves at home is any day better than the store bought .
Priya Suresh
Omg, u r tempting me, now i want some fresh turkey berries to make this preserve. Fantastic post.
Archana
Hey I remember these berries. They were what was served in Chennai in Annapurna and Padma asked me to eat it. They were served with deep fried neem leaves. The taste was amazing.Unfortunately we do not get these berries here. Thanks Priya for jogging my memory.
Harini R
Good one, Priya. These look like green olives in brine 🙂
Pavani
These turkey berries are new to me and like Harini said, they do look like marinated olives.
cookingwithsapana
Nice idea to preserve those berries.
Srivalli
Wow fantastic recipe priya..and the pictures are so lovely!
Chef Mireille
never heard of turkey berries – would love to try it
Sandhya Ramakrishnan
So flavorful and I would love to taste some right now. I need to looks for it here soon.
Kalyani
yummy ! this varutha sundakkai + vepampoo + omam – all fried in ghee and had with steaming hot white rice is bliss !!
Lata Lala
This is something new and never tried or heard of. Nice idea to preserve those berries this way.
sundakai vathal sadam with ghee sounds like a bliss and as you mentioned, this is perfect for indigestion. Awesome share.
Lata Lala recently posted…Double chocolate chip cookies | Chocolate chip cookies
Bless my food by Payal
Have heard a lot about the medicinal benefits of berries but had no idea they can be preserved in such a simple way. Awesome post indeed.
Jagruti's Cooking Odyssey
I have not heard or seen these berries, sounds so delicious and tempting. Thanks for sharing a unique recipe.
Jagruti’s Cooking Odyssey recently posted…DEGUSTABOX UK AUGUST 2020