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Acar Awak (Nyonya Spicy Mixed Vegetable Pickle) - Appetizing, sour and spicy great taste, acar is always a popular and high-demand "commodity".
Nyonya loves pickled vegetables of all kinds. So, there is no surprise that my family in Penang is partial to pickled or preserved foods—vegetables, fish stomach (perut ikan), and cincaluk (preserved baby shrimp). Grandmother was a huge fan of pickled Nyonya dishes.
I grew up watching her and my aunt making lots of acar (also called acar awak) or pickled mixed vegetables in a spicy and sour “pickle” sauce.
My aunt who in her 70’s now still makes acar religiously for celebrations or prayers to our ancestors. After I told her on the phone that I launched a Nyonya food blog, she made a big serving of acar for the purpose of this blog.
Too bad I am based in the United States, but my siblings are the lucky ones who got to savor her fabulous acar…
Because of the appetizing, sour and spicy great taste, acar is always a popular and high-demand “commodity” in my family. Here is my aunt’s recipe for acar (acar awak).
Do try it out as Nyonya pickles offer layers of flavors unlike other pickles. Just the color alone is enough to set my stomach rumbling and mouth watering.
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe is only 339 calories per serving.
What To Serve With Acar Awak
For a wholesome meal and easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
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Acar Awak
Ingredients
- 300 g (10 oz) cucumber, cut lengthwise with the skin and seeds on
- 150 g (5 oz) cabbage, cut into big pieces
- 50 g (1½ oz) carrot, skin peeled and cut lengthwise
- 50 g (1½ oz) French beans, cut into 1 1/2 inch lengths (3 cm)
- 50 g (1½ oz) long beans, cut into 1 1/2 inch lengths (3 cm)
- 50 g (1½ oz) roasted peanuts, grounded
- salt to taste
- sugar to taste
- 5 tablespoons oil
Spice Paste:
- 5 shallots
- 12 fresh red chilies
- 1/2 inch (5mm) fresh turmeric, or some turmeric powder
- 2 candle nuts
Tamarind Juice:
- tamarind pulp, about golf ball size
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Soak the tamarind pulp in water for 15 minutes. Squeeze to extract the juice and set it aside.
- Blend the spice paste in a food processor and set it aside.
- Heat a wok and add oil. Stir-fry the spice paste until aromatic. Add the tamarind juice and bring to a boil. Season with salt and sugar to taste.
- Add all the vegetables to the wok and turn off the heat immediately. Add the ground peanuts and stir to mix well.
- Let it cool and serve. Acar is best when prepared a day in advance.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Love all your recipes….
Can the acar be frozen? Or stored for extended periods? Thanks
Not frozen but in the fridge for a few days is fine.
I haven’t tried but will do so soon. I just cincai bocai agak agak with the ingredients measurements. Doesn’t look difficult to prep and cook. :)
I thought that the vegetables have to be scalded first in boiling water. Your recipe does not say so.
If the veggies are not cooked they will taste ‘green’ and hard. I was taught to make this recipe in a slightly
different way.
Add all vegetables into the wok and turn off the fire immediately, that’s when you cook the vegetables. You don’t want to overcook the vegetables they should have a crunch and fresh.
Hi I was wondering how many acar awak serving for this recipe?
A few people.
so about 4 serving?
Thanks for the detailed recipe and the mouth-watering pictures; the food looks pretty good, too. The recipe mentions 1 cup of water. How much liquid is generated by squeezing the tamarind? Does the total amount of tamarind juice/water come to 1 cup? I’m just trying to figure out how much liquid needs to be added to the spices.
Do you have to blanch the long/french beans? I tried your recipe and the beans tasted too raw.
I have tamarind paste, not the pulp. How much should I use for this recipe?
Thanks.
Add it slowly, depending on your taste.
I hear that candlenuts are toxic until cooked. Is this true?
Simply awesome recipes!
Is there a replacement for the candlenuts? I hate to buy something for just one recipe. . .
You can use cashew nuts or macadamian nuts. :)
You can replace candle nuts with macadamian nuts.