Heart-Healthy Acar (Indonesian Pickled Vegetables)

Brighten up your plate with Heart-Healthy Acar, a vibrant Indonesian pickled vegetable medley that's as nutritious as it is flavorful. Loaded with crisp carrots, cucumbers, green beans, and red bell peppers, this tangy side dish is infused with antioxidant-rich turmeric, fresh ginger, and garlic for a wholesome twist on the traditional recipe. Sweetened naturally with honey and spiced with bird's eye chilies, it delivers the perfect balance of heat and acidity. Quick to prepare and marinated to perfection in a simple vinegar brine, this low-fat, high-fiber dish is an ideal accompaniment to grilled meats, rice dishes, or as a refreshing snack on its own. Ready in just 30 minutes (plus marinating time), it's a delicious way to bring authentic Indonesian flavors to your table while supporting a heart-healthy lifestyle. Add this colorful, probiotic-rich recipe to your next meal for a burst of zesty, guilt-free goodness!

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 large Carrots
• 1 medium Cucumber
• 150 grams Green beans
• 1 medium Red bell pepper
• 120 milliliters White vinegar
• 60 milliliters Water
• 2 tablespoons Honey
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
• 1 inch piece Ginger
• 3 cloves Garlic
• 3 pieces Bird's eye chilies
• 2 medium Shallots

Directions

Step 1

Peel and julienne the carrots into 2-3 inch strips.

Step 2

Slice the cucumber in half lengthwise, remove the seeds, and cut it into thin semi-circles.

Step 3

Trim the green beans and cut them into 2-inch pieces.

Step 4

De-seed the red bell pepper and slice it into thin strips.

Step 5

Peel the ginger, garlic, and shallots. Mince the ginger and garlic, and slice the shallots thinly.

Step 6

Dice the bird's eye chilies finely, keeping the seeds if you prefer more heat.

Step 7

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the white vinegar, water, honey, salt, and turmeric powder. Stir until the honey is dissolved completely.

Step 8

Add minced ginger, garlic, and sliced shallots into the vinegar mixture and bring to a boil.

Step 9

Once boiling, add the carrots, green beans, red bell pepper, cucumber, and chilies to the saucepan. Stir quickly to coat in the pickling liquid.

Step 10

Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool slightly.

Step 11

Transfer the vegetables and pickling liquid into a large glass container or jar, ensuring the vegetables are fully submerged.

Step 12

Seal the container and allow it to cool to room temperature before refrigerating.

Step 13

For the best flavor, let the acar marinate in the fridge for at least 24 hours before serving.

Step 14

Serve chilled as a refreshing side dish to accompany your favorite meals.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(949.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	414.4

Total Fat 1.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 0.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.4g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2678.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 94.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 15.5g	0%
Total Sugars 60.7g
Protein 10.1g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 212.9mg	0%
Iron 5.9mg	0%
Potassium 1883.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 3.3%

Protein: 9.4%

Carbs: 87.3%