Aam ka Sookha Bharua Achar | Dry Stuffed Mango Pickle

A unique, authentically Bihari, dry mango pickle enjoyed with Dal Chawal, roti, or your favorite afternoon snack. Also known as Aam ka Phada (आम का फाड़ा), this is made with long mango pieces, wrapped in spices, dipped into oil, and dried fully in the sun.

Ingredients used in the Dry Mango Pickle

Mango varieties used for production of this pickle includes Malda, Bijju, Kalkatiya & Sukul. They are all tangy, juicy, pulpy varieties grown in Darbhanga district. Spices are mostly sourced locally from farmers, and bazar samitis in Samastipur. We buy whole spices and clean, roast, ground them in our kitchen-factory. Mustard Oil is brought in from Rajasthan. We test it regularly for purity, and quality.

RECIPE: How we make the Aam ka Sukha Achar

The Process of Preparation is inspired by the traditional techniques Kalpana observed her mother-in-law Tarini use to prepare this dry mango pickle.
Typically, the mangoes for this pickle arrive in the evening around 7 PM, after being plucked from the trees on the same day. Immediately they are sorted in size categories. The small mangoes are not used for this pickle. Selected mangoes should be big enough to cut out 4-6 large pieces (2 inches * 1 inch).

The next morning, work begins by cutting the mangoes. As soon as a mango is cut, it’s dipped into water to take away the heat inside the mango. After 5-10 minutes pass, the cut mangoes are washed again 2-3 times before being spread under the sun for a couple of hours to dry out the moisture.

After a few hours, turmeric and salt is added to the cut mango pieces. And this mixture is left untouched for 12-48 hours. The moisture within the mangoes drains out in form of tangy juice which is separated. At the same time, a masala mix is prepared by adding together about a dozen different spices, and mustard oil. Everything is mixed well, till the masala blends together. The proportion of spices used is based on Kalpana’s experience. Tangy water that drained out of the mangoes is also mixed into the masala.

After the time has passed, the cut mangoes are taken out and the masala is wrapped around the inner side one piece at a time. It’s a tedious process, and takes time. Finally, this cut piece of mango with masala wrapped around it is dipped into oil, and spread out on top of a bamboo soop as seen below. This pickle is now ready for sun-drying for 6-10 days. Once through the sun-drying phase, it’s stored in glass martabaans before being send to our customers.

This pickle is slightly saltier than the other ones on our store, as salt and turmeric act as the chief preservatives and not oil. When you go to villages in Darbhanga, Madhubani, or any nearby areas, you’re likely to be welcomed with Chora Dahi & this sookha bharua pickle. More so, during or just after monsoon.