Skip to main content

Bhoot Jolokia Pickle / Ghost Chilli Pickle

Preparation for making ghost chilli pickle 

Bhoot jolokia/Bhut jolokia (ভোট জলকীয়া) or Ghost chilli is one of the hottest chilli on earth cultivated basically in Assam and some other parts of northeast India. The bhoot jolokias are two or three inches long and starts out green in colour.  It turns red only when ripened.  This ripened ghost chilli in the first bite gives an intense sweet chilli flavor.  The heat doesn't kick at the beginning. As you started chewing it, the heat kicks in and your mouth started burning together starts sweating and watery eyes.

Bhoot jolokia 

Don't touch ghost chilli with bare hands after cutting.  But as we Assamese people do not use spoon and fork and eat our meal with our fingers, we have the practice of touching this red hot chili with our bare hands. Do you remember the Indian chilli queen Anandita Dutta Tamuly.  She is know for eating and rubbing bhoot jolokia on her bare eyes. But you don't try this and don't even touch bhoot jolokia with bare hands if you don't have practice.  Today I made ghost chilli pickle and chopped the ghost chillies with my bare hands.  I'm still feeling the burning sensation in my hands even after washing my hands.  If it happens to you also, use ice cubes to reduce the burning sensation from your hands.

Ghost chillies on cutting board

Bhoot jolokia pickle is one of the most essential thing I like to store in my kitchen. Bhoot jolokia production varies according to season and it is mostly available during summer in the month of June, July and August. So for the rest of the less available months, I like to preserve it by picking. I make two different types of bhoot jolokia pickle.  One is the simplest one in mustard oil and the other one is with bamboo shoots. The first one is more in use.  A single drop of bhoot jolokia pickling oil is enough to create taste to a boring dish. 

I buy bhoot jolokia from local market. Three or four chillies cost rupees ten only.  So I have got eight chillies for rupees twenty only.  I remember a bhoot jolokia vendor who used to sell his huge amount of bhoot jolokia everyday by sitting on the footpath near Chowkidinghee chariali at Dibrugarh few years ago. I saw him everyday with the same amount of bhoot jolokia in the morning at about 7.30 a.m when I took my daughter to her school when she was studying in St Xavier's School and saw him almost finished selling it when I went again to pick up her back from school at about 12 p.m. I don't know whether he is still selling ghost chillies or not as my daughter's school is changed now and it's direction is in some other way. 

 So there is a huge demand of bhoot jolokia over here in Assam.  Bhoot jolokia has been cultivated from centuries in Assam and some of the parts of northeast India but it is introduced in western world few years ago. As people are getting concerned about ghost chilli,  it is now exported to other parts of India and world.  It is generally exported in dried and pickled versions. Many local boys are now earning profits from cultivating ghost chilli.  Bhoot jolokia or ghost chilli is now a serious business.

You can buy bhoot jolokia pickle from the market, but the one that you get from the market is spicy one.  You can make it at home without any spices with just mustard oil and salt. Generally every household in Assam, you will get one such bottle of ghost chilli pickle. Assamese like to add this ghost chilli pickle or the oil from the ghost chilli pickle into pitikas (mashed potatoes and vegetables). It adds an extra flavour in it. So here I'm going to share this simple ghost chilli pickle recipe.  I made this pickle with my bare hands because I'm used to it.  But if you are making it for the first time don't forget to wear hand gloves. Wash the gloves after making this pickle recipe.  And remember don't rub your eyes after making this pickle or after cutting the ghost chillies if you are making it with  your bare hands. 

 Bhoot Jolokia Pickle / Ghost Chilli Pickle 


📎Course : Pickle
📎Cuisine : Indian

INGREDIENTS:



  • 8 bhoot jolokia or ghost chillies
  • 1 cup of mustard oil 
  • 1 tbsp salt 
Bhoot jolokia pickle in mustard oil 

METHOD:
  1. Wash ghost chillies under running water. Wipe with a dry cloth. 
  2. Now cut the ghost chillies in small pieces.  Discard the seeds if you don't like too hot. Otherwise keep it. 
  3. In a glass bottle take 1 cup of mustard oil. I'm using raw mustard oil as raw mustard oil is edible. But if you don't like to eat raw mustard oil, heat oil in a pan and then let it cool itself. 
  4. Add ghost chilli pieces. 
  5. Add salt.
  6. Put the bottle on sun for a week. 
  7. Your ghost chilli pickle is now ready to serve.  But I don't wait for one week, I started tasting it from the very first day I make it. Be sure that the bottle you are using for pickling is air tight. 
Enjoy! 

Comments

  1. I have made sauce from it, nice recipe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow... Ghost chilli sauce will be too hot... Thanks for stopping by

      Delete
  2. Tried once, but can we add Masala and all to make the pickle more delicious??

    ReplyDelete
  3. By the time i started making the pickle, the chilies were already half spoiled. It put them in an air tight bottle and kept it in the sun after 3 or 4 days. Will my pickle still be edible?

    ReplyDelete
  4. You are the one who helped us to cook such a tasty dish! Many thanks for contributing this truly stunning submission!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

List of Vegetables used in Assamese Cuisine with their English name.

Here is a list of 50 leafy and non-leafy vegetables used in Assamese cuisine with their English name.         Assamese name = English name  Lai xaak(লাই শাক)= Mustard green  Paleng xaak(পালেং শাক)= Spinach  Horiyoh xaak(সৰিয়হ শাক)= Mustard plant  Dhekia(ঢেকিয়া)= Fiddlehead ferns  Meethi xaak(মিথি শাক)= Fenugreek greens Mati kaduri(মাটি কাডুৰি)= Sessile joyweed  Lofa xaak(লফা শাক)= Chinese mellow   Bor-manimuni(বৰ-মানিমুনি)= Asiatic pennywort  Sofguti(চফগুটি)= Fennel  Dangbodi(ডাংবদি)= Yard long been  Kolmou(কলমৌ)= Water spinach  Titamora(তিতামৰা)= Jute plant  Tengamora(টেঙামৰা)= Roselle  Bhekuri(ভেকুৰী)= Indian nightshade  Squash(স্কচ্)= Chayote squash  Bahgaj(বাহঁগাজ)= Bamboo shoots  Betgaj(বেতগাজ)= Rattan shoots  Sojina(চজিনা)= Drumstick  Maan-dhania(মান ধনিয়া)= Long coriander  Mosondori(মচন্দৰি)= Heart leaf  Bhedai lota(ভেদাইলতা)= Skunk vine  Zilmil(জিলমিল)= White goosefoot  Moricha(মৰিচা)= Amaranth  Khutura(খুতুৰা)= Green amaranth  Oolkobi(ওলকব

List of Fruits found in Assam with their English Names

Here is a list of fruits found in Assam with their English names.  Assamese Name = English Name  Kordoi (কৰদৈ) = Starfruit (Scientific name : Averrhoa carambola) Lichu (লিচু) = Litchi (Scientific name : Litchi chinensis) Matikothal (মাটিকঠাল) = Pineapple (Scientific name : Ananas comosus) Komola (কমলা) = Orange  Noga Tenga (নগা টেঙা) = Rhus srmialata Ahom Bogori = Peach (Scientific name : Prunus persica) Kothal (কঠাল) = Jackfruit (Scientific name : Artocarpus heterophyllus) Siral (চিৰাল) = Mouse Melon (Scientific name : Melothria scabra) Torbuj (তৰবুজ) = Watermelon (Scientific name : Citrullus lanatus) Bogori (বগৰী) = Jujube ( Scientific name :  Zizyphus jujuba) Modhuri (মধুৰী) = Guava  Jamuk (জামুক) = Malabar Plum, Java Plum or Black Plum (Scientific name : Syzygium cumini) Aam (আম) = Mango   Mouchumi (মৌচুমি) = Sweet Lime (Scientific name : Citrus limetta) Lataku (লেতেকু) = Baccurea (Scientific name : Baccurea sapida) Dalim (ডালিম) = Pomegranate (Scientific

List of Spices(মচলা) with their English and Assamese names

 Here is a list of 25 spices (মচলা) with their English and Assamese names.  Assamese name = English name  Ada (আদা) = Ginger (Scientific name : Zingiber officinale)  Nohoru (নহৰু) = Garlic (Scientific name : Allium sativum)  Piyaj (পিয়াজ) = Onion ( Scientific name : Allium cepa)  Dhania (ধনিয়া) = Coriander ( Scientific name : Coriandrum sativum)  Jeera (জিৰা) = Cumin (Scientific name : Cuminum cyminum)  Ronga guri jolokia (ৰঙা গুৰি জলকীয়া) = Red chilli powder  Hukan jolokia (শুকান জলকীয়া) = Dry chilli  Kola nimokh (কলা নিমখ) = Black salt  Long (লং) = Clove ( Scientific name : Syzygium aromaticum)  Dalsini (দালচিনি) = Cinnamon  Elaichi (ইলাচী) = Cardamom  Kala jeera (ক'লা জিৰা) = Black cumin  Saunf (চ'ফ) = Fennel seeds ( Scientific name : Foeniculum vulgare)  Methi (মিথি) = Fenugreek ( Scientific name : Trigonella foenum-graecum ) Haldhi (হালধী) = Turmeric  Tejpat (তেজপাত) = Bay leaf  Jaluk (জালুক) = Pepper  Narasingha (নৰসিংহ) = Curry leaves  Til (তিল) = Sesame seeds ( Scientif

30 Assamese Pitika Recipes

Pitika  Pitika is an Assamese word which means mashed. Pitika dishes are very popular in Assam. It is a side dish and a signature recipe of Assamese cuisine. Assamese people love to eat vegetables by mashing them with chopped onion, chilli and mustard oil after boiling or smoking/grilling them. Its taste is very pure. Sometimes raw onion is used and sometimes fried onion is used in these recepies. We use mustard oil for all purposes as it can also be consumed  as raw. Pickled chilli or pickled bhut jolokia adds more taste to these dishes. These pitika recipes are great appetizer and generally takes very less time to prepare. Here I am going to share 30 simple pitika recipies. 30 Assamese Pitika Recipes : 1. Aloo pitika | Mashed potatoes Ingredients: 2 potatoes 1 small onion chopped 2 green chillies chopped Green coriander leaves chopped 1 tbsp mustard oil Salt to taste Method: Boil potatoes. Peel the skin and mash it in a bowl. Add the other ingredients and m

Assamese Doi Chira Jolpan Recipe

Assamese Jolpan recipes are generally breakfast recipes which requires no cooking and can be prepared in no time.  These jolpan recipes are not only served as breakfast but can also be served to guests specially in the time of Bihu festivities. Jolpan recipes usually consists of various forms of rice like rice flakes (chira), puffed rice(muri/hurung/akhoi), handoh(roasted and grounded rice),  Soft rice(kumol saul) etc.  These rice varieties are served with curd/yougurt(doi), and jaggery(gur) to make jolpan . Use either cow curd or buffalo curd. You can also use curd prepared in bamboo hollow. But serve Assamese jolpan only on bell metal(kahor) bowl because it is a tradition. Recipe of Doi Chira: >Preparation time: 15 minutes >Cooking time: 0 minutes >Total: 15 minutes. >Serve: 2 INGREDIENTS: 2 cups rice flakes 1 cup curd/yougurt 1/2 cup jeggery 1/2 cup cream(optional) METHOD: Soak rice flakes in warm water for 2-3 minutes.  Squeeze and drain the remaining

Ahom Bogori (Peach)

Ahom Bogori (Assamese আহোম বগৰী)  in English is called Peach. It's scientific name is Prunus persica. Peaches resembles and closely related to apricots and plums. Peaches are soft when ripened and are very delicious. Unlike apricot and plum, peaches have one large middle seed.  As I googled I found that peach fruit was domesticated and cultivated for the first time in Northwest China. It's a summer fruit and largely available in Assam. It is believed that the name ' Ahom bogori ' is derived from the Kingdom of Ahom . It may be because the Ahoms have brought with them the seeds of peach.  Ahom is a large community originally from the Chinese province of Yunnan, which is located on Southwest China. From Yunnan, they migrated into Myanmar and then after crossing the Patkai Mountains entered Assam. The Ahoms have established their dynasty and ruled the Ahom Kingdom, the present day Assam for about 600 years.  We call this fruit as ahom bogori from childhood.  B

Elephant apple and dates chutney (Ou tenga chutney)

Dillenia Indica commonly known as Elephant  Apple or  Ou tenga  is a fruit ,  sour in taste and very native to Assamese cuisine. Ou tenga contains vitamins C and E along with vitamin B complex and potassium. It also contains antioxidants. Elephant apple is generally used in Assamese cuisine to make fish curries. Dates contains several vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. Dried dates are a good source of magnesium, calcium, iron and potassium. However dried dates are high in calories. Today I am going to share a chutney made from elephant apple and dried dates . I made this chutney for my office party. It was served with alu and methi parathas togather with peanut chutney.   Here is the recipe: ELEPHANT APPLE AND DATES CHUTNEY / OU TENGA CHUTNEY: INGREDIENTS: 1 elephant apple 1 cup dried dates  1 cup water  1/2 cup jaggery  1/2 cup suger  1/2 tsp black cumin or kala jeera seeds 1 tsp red chilli powder 1/2 tsp cumin powder 1/2 tsp coriander powder 2/3 bay leaves 2/3 dry red chilie

Pork with mustard greens (Lai xaak)

Mustard green is a green leafy vegetable. I love its taste.  Its little bitter but it taste good once cooked.  Many recipes can be made with this beautiful green leafy vegetable. Fish with mustard greens , mustard greens stir fry, mustard green raw chutney,  boiled mustard greens are some of the mustard greens recipes.    Pork with mustard greens is a very special recipe of  Assam . Use full grown mature and soft mustard green leaves only. This recipe is very simple and very less spices are used. Assamese cuisine  is in fact less spicy compared to other Indian cuisines.  Pork with mustard greens is served as a side dish with rice. Assam is a rice eating state and Assamese generally eat rice at lunch and dinner.  So this pork  recipe can be served at lunch and dinner with steamed rice. But some people don't like to have leafy vegetables at night.  So for them serve at lunch only. Pork with mustard greens (Lai xaak) 📎 Course :  Main course  📎Cuisine :  Indian

10 Food Quiz Questions and Answers To Test Your Knowledge On Indian Food

Test your food knowledge on Indian food. Get the answers on the bottom of the post. A.  Litti chokha is a famous food of which State Assam  Bihar  Maharashtra  Gujarat  B. A burger like fast food dish of Maharashtra Kathi roll  Samosa  Vada pav Dhokla  C. Which state is the largest producer of rice Assam West Bengal  Punjab Maharashtra  D. Which is not a sweet dish  Ghevar  Chikki  Shrikhand  Medhu vada  E. Which is not an Indian bread  Phulka  Parantha  Chapati  Concha  F. Rogan josh is a signature recipe of  Assamese cuisine  Kashmiri cuisine  Mughlai cuisine  Goan cuisine  G. Which of the following  is not a Bengali dish Misti doi Samosa Roshogolla  Sambar vara  H. Which of the following is not a south Indian dish  Sambar Upma  Dal makhani  Sevai  I. Who was the winner of MasterChef India season:1 Kirti Bhoutika  Pankaj Bhadoirua Nikita Gandhi  Abhinas Nayak 

Namsing : A Mishing Delicacy

 Mishing are an ethnic community living in parts of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. Unlike other Assamese cuisines, Mishing cuisine is also unique of its kind. Mishing people are mainly non-vegetarian and rice is their main food. They eat different greens and herbs as vegetable together with fish, pork, chicken, duck meat etc. Namsing is a very popular dish among Mishing people. Namsing is nothing but dry and grounded fish . Dry and grounded fish is equally popular among other ethnic groups of Assam also but they call it hukoti .  The method of preparation of namsing is little different from hukoti. In preparing namsing Mishing people also add few herbs like colocasia leaves, long coriander etc. Small river fishes are used to make namsing. At first they clean the fishes and then dry them under sun or on smoke over stove top. After that they grounded the dry fishes together with different herbs in husking pedal (dhaki). They use bamboo tubes and filled the tubes with the grounded mixture