Murabba

Murabba

Murabba also murraba or murrabo (see murabba for more names) in an Arabic word that refers to savoury or sweet jam pickle or achar in many regions of Pakistan and also Gujarat region of India. It is traditionally sweet, prepared with raw mangoes, sugar, and spices, and resembles a fruit preserve, such as apricot conserve or orange marmalade, more than the hot oily pickles associated with Indian Cuisine.

Murraba is a fruit pickle that originated in Gurjistan, the present day Republic of Georgia. The Gurjars travelled to India to escape invaders, migrating to three regions of modern day India, Rajasthan, Gujarat and North Jammu, and the Northern Pakistan area of Gujarat. The Gurjs or Gurjars initially settled in Gujarat and hence Gujarat got its name.

Murraba is still made in present day Georgia, but it is made of strawberries and cherries and local fruits. When the Gurjs travelled to India, they adapted the recipe to use the local mango, which became a traditional favorite of the Gujaratis over the years. Georgians make murraba once a season and fill their pantries with bottled murraba.