Amba (Iraqi Tangy Mango Pickle Sauce)
Local name: عمبة
In short: A golden, tangy sauce of unripe mango cooked with mustard seed, fenugreek, garlic and chili, spooned onto kebab, grilled fish and falafel sandwiches. It takes about 55 min in total and makes 12 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Resting
- 30 min
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 12
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 100 kcal
Amba is the yellow condiment found on Iraqi tables beside grilled fish, kebab and sandwiches. It is made from unripe green mango, pickled with mustard seed, fenugreek, turmeric and chili until sour and aromatic. Traditional versions ferment in the sun for weeks. This quicker stovetop version simmers the mango with vinegar and keeps well in the fridge. A small spoonful is enough.
Instructions
- Toss the mango pieces with the salt and turmeric and leave for 30 minutes. Drain off any liquid that collects.
- Heat the oil in a wide pan over medium heat. Add the mustard and fenugreek seeds and cook for 1 minute until the mustard seeds begin to pop.
- Stir in the garlic, chili flakes and cumin and cook for 30 seconds, then add the mango.
- Add the sugar, vinegar and water. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring now and then, until the mango is soft and the sauce is thick.
- Mash roughly with a spoon, leaving some pieces, and taste for salt, sourness and heat.
- Cool completely, then spoon into a clean jar. Keep refrigerated and let it mature for 2 days before using.
Tips
- Use mangoes that are fully green and hard inside. Ripe mango will turn sweet and mushy and will not give the right sourness.
- Food safety: keep the sauce in the fridge, use a clean spoon each time and finish within 3 weeks. Add more chili for a hotter sauce, and use a blender for a smoother one.
Questions and answers
What do you eat amba with?
Grilled fish such as masgouf, kebab, falafel, eggs and sabich-style sandwiches. It is also good with rice and roasted vegetables.
Can I use ripe mangoes?
Not for traditional amba. Ripe mango is too sweet and soft, so look for hard green mangoes, often sold in Asian and Middle Eastern shops.
How long does amba last?
Up to 3 weeks in a clean jar in the fridge. The acidity from the vinegar keeps it fresh, and the flavor deepens over the first week.
How long does it take to make Amba (Iraqi Tangy Mango Pickle Sauce)?
About 55 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Amba (Iraqi Tangy Mango Pickle Sauce)?
About 100 kcal per serving, with 1 g of protein, 13 g of carbohydrates and 5 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 100 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 13 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Sodium | 380 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
