Atsara | Achara | Atchara

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If Korea has Kim Chi,
the Philippines has Atsara.

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Atsara, Achara or Atchara is Philippines' version of pickles. It is often served as side dish in various meals like silog meals, barbeque and other grilled or even fried dishes. Silog is a combined term for sinangag and itlog which means fried rice and egg. This is a popular breakfast meal among Filipinos and often joined with other viands like Hotdogs, whereas it is called Hotsilog or Tocino, whereas it will be called Tocilog.

Photo not mine. Grabbed from https://panlasangpinoy.com/pickled-papaya-appetize-atsara-achara-atchara-recipe/. Access the link and it will lead you a recipe by Chef Vanjo Merano.

The Atsara is often made from grated unripe papaya with carrots, ginger, bell pepper and raisins. Others add chilies and pineapple.

At one time before, during a seminar facilitated by the Provincial Agricultural Office and Department of Trade and Industry, we were able to make atchara using Korean Radish as the main ingredient instead of unripe papaya.

Some lechon manok (grilled chicken) stores also sell atsara on the side like Señor Pedro and Andok's. So, if I buy Lechon Manok, I often buy atsara too. Try it and you.won't regret it.

Atsara has a sweet tangy taste which goes well with meals. Plus, it is also healthy. It is a food for the gut. They say it is rich in fiber and antioxidants.

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Here are two shots of my silog (minus the egg🤭) meals perfectly paired with atsara:

Rice with atsara and Tocino

Rice with atsara and Longganisa. The longganisa is from Batac, Ilocos Norte, Philippines. They have the best longganisa (garlic) I have tasted so far. Oooops!✌🏻

This is what's left from my jar of Atsara. I bought this for 265 pesos from a restaurant along the highway in Pangasinan. I can say it is sooo worth it. This version has few pineapple slices on it and raisins too.

Try to incorporate atsara in your meals too.
I swear you'll love it and you're gonna be looking for more of it.

Enjoy your meal!

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