Achara or Atsara is a pickled dish, usually composed of grated green papaya and combined with crunchy vegetables to soak in vinegar and sugar. Sweet and tangy, with crisp textures and attractive colors, the Atsara is said to be a good source of vitamin C. Its exciting flavors complement popular viands that are grilled or fried, like inihaw na manok, or pritong bangus. As a garnish, it can now transform an ordinary plate into an interesting one.
What about you, what food would you pair with atchara?
Achara Recipe (Achara Papaya Recipe by JF Silverio)
- 3 cups green papaya, grated
- 1 carrot
- 2 cups vinegar
- 2 sweet red peppers
- 1 hot red pepper
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp. salt
Peel the green papaya and grate it. Soak overnight in a strong salt solution. Peel the carrot and slice or cut it into fancy forms with a vegetable cutter. Wash with water the next morning and squeeze all the water out. Boil vinegar, salt, and sugar. Add papaya, carrot, and peppers. Cook for 25 minutes. Cool.
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