Acar(Malaysian pickled vegetable)

Spicy Acar

Ingredients:

600g cucumber

400g cabbage, cut 3cm thick(sprinkle a little salt before leaving in sun)

300g cauliflower, cut into small florets

1 carrot, cut into 3cm long strips

1 purple brinjal, cut into 3cm long strips

6 red chillies

6 green chillies

25g salt

4Tbsp oil

100g peanuts roasted and coarsely pounded

5 pieces peanut candy(kong th'ing)pounded

4Tbsp toasted sesame

GROUND INGREDIENTS
150g shallots
4 cloves
20 dried chillies,seeded
3 fresh red chillies
2 stalks lemon grass
3 candlenuts
1 tsp vegetarian belacan granules
3 cm piece fresh turmeric root
2 cm piece galangal

MIXTURE(A)
180ml vinegar
3 1/2 cups water
2Tbsp castor sugar
1tsp salt

VINEGAR MIXTURE(B)
170ml vinegar
250ml water
75g sugar
1Tbsp salt or to taste

Method:

1. Quarter the cucumber lengthwise without peeling and remove the core. Cut into 3cm-long strips.Scrape carrot skin away and cut into 3 cm long strips.Combine two vegetables into a mixing bowl. Knead 1 tbsp salt into the carrot and cucumber slices and leave aside to marinate for 1/2 hour.Wash thoroughly with water.Drain in colander. Wrap the cucumber+carrot slices in a clean towel or muslin cloth and squeeze out as much liquid as you can. Lay the cucumber+carrot slices on a tray, cover with a thin cloth and sun for 2-3 hours. (This will give them a nice crunch).

2. For the other vegetables, sun them separately in trays for 1-2 hours.

3.Cut red and green chillies into halves lengthwise,remove seeds and cut into thin strips.

4. Bring mixture(A)to a rapid boil. Blanch the sun-dried vegetables, one type at a time for 2-3 seconds.Never overcook the vegetables or they will lose their crunchiness. Drain vegetables and set aside.Chillies should not be scalded at all.

5. Fry the spice paste in hot oil until it rises,fragrant and oil separates from the paste. Add vinegar mixture(B) and bring to a boil.Turn off heat and allow to cool thoroughly.

6. Add in all the vegetables and mix well.Mix in grounded peanuts,peanut candy and toasted sesame seeds.