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    Home » Pickles » Thokku » Apple Thokku | Grated Apple Pickle

    Apple Thokku | Grated Apple Pickle

    Posted on February 10, 2021 · Last Updated on February 9, 2021 · By Srividhya G · 24 Comments

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    apple pickle collage with text overlay for pinterest

    Indian-style grated apple pickle popularly known as apple thokku! Spicy relish with apples, a perfect side dish for rice, and a fantastic spread too!

    overhead shot of apple pickle with apple slices on the side and with some red chili and turmeric powder sprinkled

    In our household, the meal never ends with curd/yogurt/buttermilk rice. When I make sambar or kuzhambu, we usually have that as a side for the yogurt rice. On days when I make dal or kootu or rasam, we opt for pickles for yogurt rice. 

    But folks, thokku or the grated pickle is more than a pickle. You can use it as a spread for your sandwich, dosa, and pair it with idli, paratha, and upma. 

    Jump to:
    • Apple Thokku
    • How to make fenugreek powder
    • Dietary Specifications
    • Serving suggestions
    • How to make the grated apple pickle
    • VVK Tips for the best apple thokku
    • More Apple Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe

    I love pickles with yogurt rice, but I can relish mixed rice and sambhar and rasam rice with pickles, especially thokku varieties. So at any point in time, there will make some pickle in my fridge. Check out my other favorite thokku varieties – raw mango thokku, cherry thokku, and tomato thokku as well. 

    I have already explained what is thokku on my cherry thokku post, so let me directly get into the apple thokku recipe. 

    Apple Thokku

    Apple thokku is more like mango thokku; I grate the apples ( I used the honey-crisp apple variety) and cook them with some spices. I got about 3 cups of grated apple, and for this measure, I added 1.5 tsp of fenugreek powder, red chili powder, and salt. 

    We love the flavor of fenugreek and asafoetida in the pickles, so I always add a little extra. But you can always adjust according to your preference. Also, make sure to taste the apple and adjust the spices depending upon its sweetness/tartness.  

    Typically I add mustard seed powder as well for pickles. But for this pickle, I skipped. You can add ½ tsp of mustard seed powder as well. 

    How to make fenugreek powder

    You don’t need to buy a big pack of fenugreek powder from the store for this recipe. You can make the fenugreek powder at home. 

    Roast about 2 tbsps of fenugreek seeds until they turn red/deep golden brown. In Tamil, we say sivakka varukanum. That’s the critical thing. If you don’t roast until they turn red, you can feel the fenugreek’s stickiness in the pickle, and the texture won’t be pleasant. So roast it well. Let it cool and grind it. We need 1.5 tsp of fenugreek powder for this recipe. 

    You can use the fenugreek powder for the Instant tamarind rice and other kuzhambu recipes. 

    Dietary Specifications

    As you can see from the ingredient list, we are not using any dairy products or nuts. By nature, this pickle is vegan. You can skip asafoetida for a gluten-free version or use gluten-free asafoetida for this. I suggest not to skip the asafoetida for this pickle. 

    Don’t forget to check the VVK tips to make the best apple thokku/relish.

    Serving suggestions

    overhead shot of apple thokku served with yogurt rice in a tiffin box placed on a black slate board
    • We love this pickle with yogurt rice, rasam rice. But you can also serve it with idli,upma paratha, or you can use it as a spread for dosa and bread.
    • I love to spread a generous layer of this pickle on my bread, top it with paneer, and grill it. It makes s a delicious sandwich.
    • You can mix paneer and this pickle and marinate and air fry or bake them.
    • Mix it with roti dough and make pickle paratha.  

    The sky is the limit. This pickle is indeed a must-have condiment. 

    How to make the grated apple pickle

    • Heat a pan or kadai and add 2 tbsp of oil. When the oil is hot, add mustard seeds. As they start to splutter, add the asafoetida and fenugreek seed powder. Saute for 15 to 20 seconds. 
    tempering for apple pickle
    • Now add grated apple, salt, turmeric, and chili powder.
    grated apple with spices
    • Mix it well.
    apples and spices mixed
    •  Let it cook for about 8 to 10 minutes over medium-low heat. (Do not cover).
    cooked apples
    • Add another 1 tbsp of oil, mix well and cook for two to three minutes until all the moisture is gone. The apple thokku will come together at this stage and turn off the heat. Let it cool and store it in an airtight container. Make sure to use a clean spoon every time. 
    cooked apple relish

    VVK Tips for the best apple thokku

    • Make sure you grate the apple just before making the pickle. After grating, start the tempering process. If the peel and grate it before, due to oxidization, it might turn black.
    • Taste the apple, and make sure to adjust the spices according to your preference.
    • As I mentioned before, we like fenugreek and asafoetida flavor in pickles, so I always add a little extra. But adjust as per your taste.
    • If the pickle is on the spicier side, you can always add jaggery or palm sugar and cook again for a couple of minutes.
    • I highly recommend gingelly oil for this recipe; if not, use peanut oil or neutral oil. Coconut oil slightly overpowers the flavor, but you can try if that’s your preferred oil. 
    • You can add ½ tsp of mustard seed powder along with fenugreek powder. But I did not use it. 
    • I have tested this recipe with the gala, green and honey-crisp apples.
    overhead shot of apple pickle with apple slices on the side and with some red chili and turmeric powder sprinkled placed on a slate board

    More Apple Recipes

    • square image of apple basundi served in three bowls
      Apple Basundi Without Condensed Milk
    • OreoAppleMilkshakeRecipe
      Oreo Milkshake | Oreo Apple Milkshake
    • square image of apple crisp served with ice cream in a ceramic bowls
      Microwave Apple Crisp | Single-Serving Apple Crisp
    • square image of brown betty in the french white baking dish with apples and lemon slices on the side
      Apple Brown Betty

    PS:  If you try this apple thokku/pickle, please don’t forget to comment and rate this recipe. If you have any questions, please leave a comment, and I will get to it ASAP. Make sure to follow me on my Pinterest for more healthy and delicious ideas! Follow me on Instagram or join my Facebook Group for more gardening and recipe updates! You can also sign-up for my newsletter for weekly updates.

    📖 Recipe

    square image of overhead shot of apple pickle with apple slices on the side and with some red chili and turmeric powder sprinkled
    Pin Recipe Print Recipe
    5 from 4 votes

    Apple Thokku | Grated Apple Pickle

    Indian-style grated apple pickle popularly known as apple thokku! Spicy relish with apples, a perfect side dish for rice, and a fantastic spread too!
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time20 minutes mins
    Total Time30 minutes mins
    Course: Accompaniment, condiments
    Cuisine: Indian
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 101kcal
    Author: Srividhya G

    Equipment

    • Saucepan or kadai

    Ingredients

    Measurement Details: 1 cup=240ml; 1tbsp=15ml; 1tsp=5ml;

    • 3 tbsp oil divided (2 tbsp + 1 tbsp) preferably gingelly oil
    • 1 tsp mustard seeds
    • ½ tsp asafoetida
    • 1.5 tsp fenugreek powder
    • 2 apples peeled and grated approx 500 grams roughly 3 cups when grated. I used honey-crisp variety.
    • ¼ tsp turmeric powder
    • 1.5 tsp red chili powder or to taste
    • 1.5 tsp salt or to taste

    Instructions

    • Heat a pan or kadai and add 2 tbsp of oil. When the oil is hot, add mustard seeds. As they start to splutter, add the asafoetida and fenugreek seed powder. Saute for 15 to 20 seconds.
      tempering for apple pickle
    • Now add grated apple, salt, turmeric, and chili powder.
      grated apple with spices
    • Mix it well.
      apples and spices mixed
    • Let it cook for about 8 to 10 minutes over medium-low heat. (Do not cover).
      cooked apples
    • Add another 1 tbsp of oil, mix well and cook for two to three minutes until all the moisture is gone. The apple thokku will come together at this stage and turn off the heat. Let it cool and store it in an airtight container. Make sure to use a clean spoon every time.
      cooked apple relish

    Notes

    • Make sure you grate the apple just before making the pickle. After grating, start the tempering process. If the peel and grate it before, due to oxidization, it might turn black.
    • Taste the apple, and make sure to adjust the spices according to your preference.
    • As I mentioned before, we like fenugreek and asafoetida flavor in pickles, so I always add a little extra. But adjust as per your taste.
    • If the pickle is on the spicier side, you can always add jaggery or palm sugar and cook again for a couple of minutes.
    • I highly recommend gingelly oil for this recipe; if not, use peanut oil or neutral oil. Coconut oil slightly overpowers the flavor, but you can try if that’s your preferred oil. 
    • You can add ½ tsp of mustard seed powder along with fenugreek powder. But I did not use it.
    • I have tested this recipe with the gala, green and honey-crisp apples.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 101kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 591mg | Potassium: 89mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 182IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg

    I am not a nutritionist. The nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It varies depending upon the product types or brands.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @vidhyasvegetariankitchen or tag #vidhyasvegkitchen
    For Video RecipesCheck out My YouTube Channel

    Update Notes: Earlier posted in 2015, now updated the blog post with new pics, recipe card and more tips and details.

    230 shares
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    Filed Under: Pickles, Thokku Tagged With: apple oorukai, apple pickle, apple thokku, sweet and sour thokku

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. David Ewing Murray says

      August 14, 2022 at 7:17 am

      5 stars
      Just tried it with Bramley apples from the tree. I really need apple recipes this year.
      This is delicious. I’m going to try canning it to see if it will keep.

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        August 20, 2022 at 5:30 am

        Thanks. It should stay good and you can also freeze them.

        Reply
    2. Siddharth says

      November 06, 2021 at 2:25 am

      5 stars
      Hi sis,What’s the shelf life of the apple thokku?

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        November 08, 2021 at 7:15 am

        It usually stays for upto a week when you refrigerate.

        Reply
    3. Mamtha Balasubramaniam says

      September 11, 2020 at 8:52 am

      5 stars
      Thank you for sharing this recipe! Can I use the skin of the apple too on this recipe?

      Reply
      • Srividhya G says

        September 12, 2020 at 10:52 am

        Yes you can. If it’s organic and if the skin doesn’t have that wax coating, I always use them. Sorry for the delayed response.

        Reply
        • Mamtha Balasubramaniam says

          September 12, 2020 at 11:01 am

          5 stars
          Thank you so much for your response! I’ll try it.

          Reply
          • Srividhya G says

            September 12, 2020 at 11:01 am

            Thanks.

            Reply
      • Ranjini says

        October 20, 2021 at 9:05 am

        It turned out so well thanks for the recipe!

        Reply
        • Srividhya G says

          October 21, 2021 at 7:38 am

          Glad it came out well. Thanks

          Reply
    4. ranjaniravindran says

      December 14, 2015 at 4:33 am

      very creative !!! yummy….

      Reply
      • Vidhya@VVK says

        December 14, 2015 at 7:54 am

        Thanks a lot Ranjani and welcome to my space.

        Reply
    5. MyCulinarySaga says

      December 10, 2015 at 1:34 am

      This is new to me :) have soooo many apples in my garden. will put them to use :)

      Reply
    6. Vasantha Vivek says

      December 10, 2015 at 12:11 am

      Hai Sri,

      As soon as I read your post, rushed to the kitchen and made Green Apple Thokku …. very yummy….thanks ppa …. :)

      Reply
      • Vidhya@VVK says

        December 10, 2015 at 8:02 am

        Thanks ka.. will mention it in my blog today

        Reply
    7. CHCooks says

      December 09, 2015 at 10:23 pm

      Simply superb Sri :) Love your innovative idea! We are family that touch pickles very very very occasionally. When the parents stay with us, pickles get over super fast and after that, even a small jar stays full :) Many a times, parents would come back and finish that dabba :D

      Reply
      • Vidhya@VVK says

        December 10, 2015 at 1:15 pm

        Thanks a lot GB.. My dad doesn’t eat pickles I think I got that pickle tooth from my mom.

        Reply
    8. Traditionally Modern Food says

      December 09, 2015 at 6:05 pm

      I have tried instant green apple pickle.. This s awesome Sri, reminds mango thokku

      Reply
      • Vidhya@VVK says

        December 09, 2015 at 9:28 pm

        oh yeah that would have tasted great.. Mango thokku is my fav too

        Reply
    9. Malar says

      December 09, 2015 at 3:32 pm

      I must try this….Finally I didn’t miss this post lol :P

      Reply
      • Vidhya@VVK says

        December 09, 2015 at 9:29 pm

        he he.. last week was hectic so I finally posted it today.

        Reply
    10. Sowmiasgalley says

      December 09, 2015 at 10:31 am

      Sounds interesting… Will try soon

      Reply
    11. Alok Singhal says

      December 09, 2015 at 9:58 am

      Hi Vidhya, i would suggest you post larger pictures…that will bring out presentation better. Rest is all good :)

      Reply
      • Vidhya@VVK says

        December 09, 2015 at 9:30 pm

        Hi Alok, Thanks a lot for your suggestions. I will keep that in mind and work on that. Thanks for the feedback again.

        Reply
    5 from 4 votes

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