Weralu Achcharu (Olive Pickles) Recipe

By Peter Kuruvita
Published on October 3, 2019
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Photo from Adobe Stock/olindana

Sold as a snack by the roadside and by beach vendors all over Sri Lanka, these olives have a great flavour and texture — and once you’ve eaten one, you keep going back for more. They also make a great chaser for a beer or a glass of coconut arrack.

Region: Sri Lanka
Makes: 1 x 1 litre (35 fl oz/4 cup) jar}
Preparation: 15 minutes + 2 weeks pickling
Cooking: 20 minutes
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients:

  • 50 ripe green olives
  • 2 tablespoons rice bran oil
  • 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
  • 1 tablespoon chilli flakes
  • 5 fresh curry leaves
  • 1 tablespoon malt vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black
  • pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

  1. Boil the olives in a saucepan of salted water for 10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
  2. Heat the rice bran oil in a large heavy-based saucepan.
  3. Add the garlic and fry over medium heat for about 3 minutes, or until golden brown.
  4. Add the other ingredients, except the olives, and mix well.
  5. Now add the boiled olives and mix until all the ingredients are well distributed.
  6. Transfer to a large sterilised glass jar, seal and store in a cool dark place for 2 weeks before eating.
  7. Once opened, the olives will keep in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.

Also from Lands of the Curry Leaf:


Acclaimed chef, author and TV presenter Peter Kuruvita shares over 100 vegetarian and vegan recipes that take us on a culinary journey of discovery through the subcontinent — from Bhutan, Nepal and Afghanistan to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and his home country of Sri Lanka. All the dishes in this deeply personal collection, spiced with the flavours of Peter’s life and travels, reflect the diversity of the regions, their legendary hospitality, their energy and excitement, extraordinary landscapes and rich history. Peter explores a goldmine of plant-based flavours in recipes for street foods; pulses and legumes; salads; dairy-based dishes; curries, stir-fries and stews; rice; soups; chutneys; and sauces. This book is a reflection of the changing dialogue about what we eat, as the world embraces the idea of a meal where flesh is not the main event.

Reprinted with permission from Lands of the Curry Leaf: A Vegetarian Food Journey from Sri Lanka to Nepal by Peter Kuruvita and published by Murdoch Books, 2019.

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