One thing I've learned about kids now that both of mine are in college and beyond is that they don't mince words. If they don't see the results of a healthy ingredient, they don't eat it. But when they do, they ask for it. Like this pickled turmeric and ginger concoction that I've been making for them since they were young, when I first launched my 'healthy eating on humans (my kids)' project.
Our younger one was driving back to college, and when she saw that I'd made a batch of this haldi-adarak achaar, she immediately asked me to pack it. We eat a small piece of this fresh turmeric daily — it helps fight off colds and infections. The marinating lemon juice is perfect to sip on as well. The most interesting thing about testing this on my girls is that I assumed at first that they would not care for the earthy turmeric taste. It was the exact opposite. They cannot get enough of it, especially when ...
... it's tempered with lemon juice and salt. My older one will literally eat piece after piece. I always recommend that parents (including me) never assume they know what their kids will or won't try — you need to simply offer it and make sure you set a good visual example by eating it yourself. Often they will surprise you!
Why is turmeric so special? I know you know ... but do you really know? The curcumin in it helps fight infection and inflammation. The most basic example of inflammation is a sore throat. When it hurts to swallow, the tissue in your throat is swollen. Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory. It's even more powerful when paired with black pepper (which is known to increase absorption by your tissues by over two thousand percent (nope, that's not a typo). Turmeric is also better absorbed by the body when paired with a fat (think oil, butter, ghee, whole milk, fat in meats, avocado, etc.). If you eat this with a balanced meal, you'll get all the fat you need for proper absorption.
Once your ingredients are pickled — if the batch even lasts that long — how do you eat it? Have it on the side with an Indian meal, mix small amounts into salads, or top a sandwich or burger with it like I do with my salmon sliders. Add a slice on top of a deviled egg or as a side to scrambled eggs, especially an Indian omelette.
Pro Tip: If you really want to take this to another level, consider adding small pieces of fresh, peeled garlic. Eating a piece of garlic daily helps ward off colds and infections. I've been doing this for years — it works like a charm to break a fever. As long as the pieces are small enough, you don't even need to chew them; simply swallow with water. If you don't chew them, your breath will be fine. It's much cheaper, easier, and effective than taking garlic pills. And now you know some of our household hacks!
xoxo Anupy
*If using orange turmeric, know that it will stain your hands. You can use kitchen gloves or simply after rub your hands with lemon and wash them well. Do not touch anything white for a few hours and wash them a few more times. The color goes away in a few hours, typically. You can also look for white turmeric. I find it at Indian grocery stores on Devon Ave. and in the Chicago suburbs. If you can’t find fresh turmeric, ask your grocer to bring it in.
Tips on peeling: I use a paring knife to just scrape the peel from the turmeric and ginger - you can use a peeler, but it tends to waste too much product. If you’re not comfortable with a paring knife, use a small pointed (versus rounded) spoon — a grapefruit spoon is perfect (am I the only one left that has grapefruit spoons?).
**There’s no need to remove the seeds or membrane.
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[[ recipeID=recipe-2mf7cgs77, title=Condiment: Haldi-Adarak Achaar, Easy Pickled Turmeric-Ginger ]]
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by Anupy Singla, Indian As Apple Pie
Servings:
Keywords: Indian Recipes, relish, turmeric, ginger, wellness, Haldi-Adarak Achaar
*If using orange turmeric, know that it will slightly stain your hands. You can use kitchen gloves, but they are a form of ‘plastic’ and I don’t like that near my food if I can avoid it. My hands do stain, but only slightly and then it tends to go away in about a day. I rub my hands with lemon while washing and it helps. If you don’t want to deal with any staining at all, look for white turmeric. I find it at Indian grocery stores on Devon Ave. and in the Chicago suburbs. If you can’t find fresh turmeric, ask your grocer to bring it in — they might.
Tips on peeling: I use a paring knife to just scrape the peel from the turmeric and ginger - you can use a peeler, but it tends to waste too much product. If you’re not comfortable with a paring knife, use a small pointed (versus rounded) spoon — a grapefruit spoon is perfect (am I the only one left that has grapefruit spoons?).
**There’s no need to remove the seeds or membrane.
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Margo Gray
August 03, 2026
I grew up eating achaar,but this is different. I have some from my country right now, made with mustard oil. I will make yours, definitely. Less complicative., fewer ingredients. Thanks
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Indian As Apple Pie replied:
We have so many options on achaar! This is a simple and easy way to get something fresh on the table.