With the Lunar New Year just around the corner, if you’re still worried about buying unknown-origin sweets from the market, Khô bò CALI has a great solution for you: a Southern-style recipe for Spicy and Sour Dried Ambarella. So don’t wait head to the kitchen and start making your own today!
Ingredients for Making Spicy and Sour Dried Ambarella (Southern-Style)
To create this flavorful and addictive treat, you’ll need a few simple ingredients that come together to deliver the perfect balance of sourness, sweetness, and spiciness. Here’s what you’ll need:
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1 kilogram of fresh green ambarella (hog plum): Choose firm, slightly underripe fruits for the best texture and tangy flavor.
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100 grams of lime powder (calcium hydroxide): This will be used to soak the ambarella slices, helping them stay crisp and firm during the drying process.
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400 grams of granulated sugar: Acts as the sweet base to balance the sour and spicy notes.
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1 piece of fresh ginger (medium-sized): Peeled and thinly sliced or shredded to add warmth and depth to the flavor.
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15 grams of chili powder: Adds the perfect kick of heat to elevate the overall taste of your Spicy and Sour Dried Ambarella.
How to Prepare Spicy and Sour Dried Ambarella – Step-by-Step
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Start by washing the fresh green ambarella thoroughly. Using a vegetable peeler or a small knife, carefully remove the thin outer skin of the fruit. Once peeled, cut each ambarella into quarters. You may choose to remove the seed if you prefer a smoother texture, but it’s also perfectly fine to leave it in especially if you’re using Thai ambarella or young hog plums, as their seeds are typically soft and edible.
Next, prepare the ginger. Peel the skin off the ginger root, rinse it well, and then slice it into thin, fine strips. The ginger will add a warm, aromatic kick to balance the sourness of the ambarella and the heat of the chili.
Now, it’s time to make lime water. In a large bowl, dissolve 100 grams of slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) in 2 liters of water. Let the mixture sit undisturbed for about 15 minutes. Once the lime settles to the bottom, carefully skim off and keep the clear lime water on top,this is what you’ll use for soaking the ambarella.
Place the ambarella slices into the clear lime water and let them soak for 3 to 4 hours. This step helps the fruit retain its crunchiness during the cooking and drying process.
After soaking, remove the ambarella pieces from the lime water and rinse them thoroughly under cold running water multiple times. This helps eliminate any remaining lime residue and its strong smell. Once clean, place the fruit in a colander or strainer and allow it to drain completely.
Soaking in lime water is an essential technique in traditional Vietnamese candy-making that helps the ambarella stay firm and slightly crunchy, just the way it should be in a perfect batch of Spicy and Sour Dried Ambarella.
Step 2: Marinate the Ambarella with Sugar and Cook into a Thick Jam-Like Consistency
Once the ambarella slices are fully drained and dry, it’s time to marinate them with sugar. In a large bowl, combine the ambarella with 400 grams of granulated sugar. Gently mix until the sugar coats every piece evenly. Then, let the mixture sit undisturbed for 4 to 6 hours. During this time, the sugar will gradually dissolve, releasing the natural juices from the fruit and infusing each slice with a deep, sweet flavor.
After the soaking period, you’ll notice a generous amount of syrup at the bottom of the bowl. This is the perfect time to start cooking the mixture into a rich, sticky jam.
Place a large pan or pot on the stove over high heat. Pour in the entire ambarella and sugar syrup mixture. Let it come to a full boil, and once it’s bubbling vigorously, reduce the heat to low. Stir gently but continuously using chopsticks or a wooden spatula to prevent the sugar from burning at the bottom.
As the syrup thickens and begins to coat the fruit more heavily, add the sliced ginger and chili powder into the mixture. This is where the magic happens, the heat from the chili and the warmth from the ginger balance the sweetness and bring out that signature spicy-sour kick.
Continue stirring gently and patiently. You’ll notice the mixture becoming heavier and more resistant to stir—this is a good sign. The sugar will begin to caramelize into a golden hue, and the syrup will become thick and sticky. When the mixture reaches a thick, glossy consistency and clings tightly to the fruit, it’s time to turn off the heat.
Let the Spicy and Sour Dried Ambarella cool down slightly, then transfer it into clean, airtight glass jars for storage. When properly sealed, the jam-like snack can be enjoyed over several weeks, a perfect homemade treat to serve during the festive season or share with friends and family.
Final Result
The finished Spicy and Sour Dried Ambarella is a delightful harmony of flavors, tangy, spicy, and just the right touch of sweetness. Each bite offers a satisfying chew, followed by a bold kick of chili and the refreshing sourness of ambarella that lingers on the tongue. It’s the kind of treat that keeps you coming back for more, irresistible, addictive, and never boring, no matter how many times you reach for another piece.
If you’re craving the bold, irresistible flavor of Spicy and Sour Dried Ambarella but don’t have the time to make it at home, don’t worry, Khô Bò CALI has got you covered! Our handcrafted ambarella snack is made using premium green ambarella, slow-cooked with fresh ginger and chili to achieve the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy. Every bite delivers the authentic Southern Vietnamese taste you love chewy, flavorful, and absolutely addictive.
At Khô Bò CALI, we’re committed to quality, flavor, and food safety. Each batch is carefully prepared, hygienically packaged, and ready to be enjoyed anytime—whether you’re hosting guests, preparing for Tết, or simply indulging yourself.
👉 Order now from Khô Bò CALI and experience why our Spicy and Sour Dried Ambarella has become a customer favorite!
KHÔ BÒ CALI
Address: 9511 Bolsa ave westminster CA 92683
Phone numbers: +1 (714) 452-7679 / +1 (714) 234-6899
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://khobocali.com/
