Torshi - Persian Mixed Vegetable Pickle

Tender and slightly crunchy vegetables are pickled in a tangy, flavorful brine in this easy Torshi recipe. 

Also known as Turshi (ترشی), this mixed vegetable pickle is a great way to put some of those extra veggies to use and serve them as a side or a snack.  

This quick pickle has its roots in the Middle East, and yet, the flavors are super versatile. 

I’ve recently been inspired to try pickling, fermenting and preserving foods and fresh garden produce. 

And while I’ve actually tried my hands at pickled mushrooms, their shelf life was barely a week. 

My oven dried tomatoes were also a big hit, but I was really looking to try a full fledged plant-based pickle recipe that had a lot of flavor, and could last me weeks, if not months. 

And that’s when I decided to give this recipe a try. 

What's So Great About the Recipe?

My favorite part about this recipe is how simple and quick it really is. 

There’s literally no complicated steps or brainwork needed to figure out how to make these mixed vegetable pickles. 

Plus, the pickled veggies are super versatile- you can pair them with any Middle Eastern foods or Mediterranean recipes.

Vegetables: I used an array of fresh vegetables for this recipe- cauliflower, Persian cucumbers, carrot, celery, bell pepper, green beans and some garlic cloves. 

Vinegar: Vinegar forms the base of the pickling liquid and also adds the much needed acidity to the veggies. I used white vinegar, because that’s what I had at hand. 

Turmeric: I also added a pinch of turmeric to lend the pickled veggies a hint of that beautiful golden color. 

Spices: I also added some whole black peppercorns, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, a couple of bay leaves, some coriander seeds and some red pepper flakes. 

Sea salt: Sea salt helps with the preservation of the pickled veggies. You can, of course, use regular salt or pickling salt instead.

See recipe card for quantities.

Substitutions & Variations

• I used white vinegar, but you can totally use apple cider vinegar if you want a bit of that fruity taste. 
• You can also try this recipe with many different kinds of vegetables. Eggplant or aubergine is another great addition, and you’ll usually find it used in most Middle Eastern foods.  
• Veggies like pearl onions, string beans, turnip, cabbage, green tomatoes and hot peppers can also be added in. 
• You can also add other herbs and spices of your choice. I like to add some fresh dill and tarragon when I am able to get my hands on it.

How to Store the Mixed Vegetable Pickle

This Persian mixed vegetable pickle can be stored at room temp for up to a week. Just remember you’ll need to place it in a cool place, ideally your refrigerator. 

If you want the Torshi to last longer- say, up to 2-4 weeks, you might want to can it. 

Just place the jar in a water bath and allow the water to come up to a boil. This will help seal the jars, and you can now move them to the pantry.

Tips & Tricks to Nail the Recipe

• In addition to all the herbs and seasonings, you can also add some curry powder into the brine. This will lend a nice color and flavor to the veggies, and you won’t even need to add the turmeric separately. 
• You can also add pre-pickled veggies into the Torshi if you want to.  
• Make sure you don’t fill the jars up to the rim, especially if you’re planning on canning the Torshi. Leave a bit of space for expansion.
• Instead of pouring the vinegar mixture over the veggies, you can also choose to add veggies to the pickling liquid and slightly blanch them before you can or store them. 
• Use a slotted spoon to remove the blanched vegetables and then transfer them to the glass jars. 
• You can also choose to remove the whole pickling spices if you want to. Just use a strainer to strain out all the little herbs and spices before you pour the brine into the jar. 

How to Serve Torshi

While the classic way to serve Torshi is to team it up with any Persian food or Iranian food, you can actually go the extra mile and pair this mixed vegetable pickle with lots of other classic recipes too. 

The tangy, sour flavors of the Torshi work perfectly with your shawarma and falafel sandwiches, and also with simple rice and stew dishes. 

You can also serve these mixed pickles with your favorite soups and kebabs