There are several types of delicious seasonings usually served along with Iranian foods, which add to the taste of the food and are considered their complement. Haft Bijar Pickle is one of these delicious seasonings, the origin of which, as its name suggests, goes back to the Bijar region of the Kurdistan Province of Iran.

The Age of the Haft Bijar Pickle

This sour seasoning is more than 150 years old and because of the natural vegetables used for preparing it, Haft Bijar Pickle is considered very healthy and nutritious. The raw materials used for making this pickle are obtained from the agricultural fields of Bijar and its surrounding areas. Since spring and winter are the seasons in which the required raw materials are harvested, autumn is usually the time to enjoy this pickle.

This pickle is called “Haft Bijar” because seven types of fruits, seven types of vegetables, and seven types of spices are used in making it. Although the number of ingredients to make this pickle is many, the preparation method is quite simple.

Ingredients

• Cauliflower: two Kg.

• Eggplant: one Kg.

• Carrot: one Kg.

• Cucumber: one Kg.

• Artichoke: two large pieces

• Quince: two

• Green beans: one Kg.

• Garlic: five bunches

• Hot green chilies: 250 grams

• Capsicum: one

• Green vegetables (tarragon, satureja, mint, parsley, or coriander as per choice): half a kilo

• Pickle spices: as per taste

• White vinegar: one and a half liters

The most important part of making Haft Bijar Pickle is preparing its spices. Cooking this spice requires a special method that you will read below.

Instead of white vinegar, you can use apple cider vinegar or red vinegar.

Recipe for Preparing the Spices of Haft Bijar Pickle

• Angelica powder: 10 teaspoons

• Black pepper, nutmeg, fennel powder, ...: one teaspoon each

• Coriander seed powder: five teaspoons

• Cumin powder and dried herbs (in equal proportion of savory, tarragon, coriander, and dry mint): two teaspoons

Preparation of the spices of this pickle is very important, therefore, try to observe the ratio of ingredients in the same way as mentioned.

First, put all the spices in a blender and grind them. Then roast the mixture a little on low heat. The spice mixture so prepared should be kept in a dry and cool place so that it can be used as and when needed.

Recipe for Preparing the Haft Bijar Pickle

• Cut the cauliflower into pieces by hand and wash it with water and salt.

• Wash the cucumber, eggplant, carrot, bell pepper, artichoke, capsicum, and green beans and set aside until they are completely dry.

• Cut all vegetables except green pepper into cubes or rings. If you want the ingredients to be softer and the pickle to be ready sooner, boil them for five minutes. Of course, this will not be pleasant for those who like their pickle to be crunchy!

• Wash the vegetables and chop them after they are completely dry.

Note that all ingredients must be completely dry, otherwise the pickle will mold very quickly.

• Mix all the ingredients in a large container and add as much of your homemade spices and salt as you want.

• Get a large, clean, and completely dry plastic jar (which has a cover) and pour the pickled ingredients into it layer by layer. Put peeled garlic, dried herbs, and green pepper between each layer. Continue this until the pot is completely filled. Shake the pot from time to time so that the empty spaces inside the pot are filled as much as possible.

• When the jar is filled and only a few centimeters are left, cover the surface of the pickle with some green peppers, garlic cloves, and dried herbs. Slowly pour the vinegar into the pot until it fills the jar and is above the ingredients to the size of a finger. In order to make the pickle taste milder, you can mix the vinegar with boiled water and pour it into the pot.

In order for the pickle to settle, tighten the lid of the jar and leave it in a cool and dark place and away from the sun for 10 days.

Remember that once you have served the pickle with the food, never put the left over back into the jar, because the whole pot will go moldy.

There are several types of delicious seasonings usually served along with Iranian foods, which add to the taste of the food and are considered their complement. Haft Bijar Pickle is one of these delicious seasonings, the origin of which, as its name suggests, goes back to the Bijar region of the Kurdistan Province of Iran.