Amba

Amba is a pickled mango sauce with murky origins. The word amba means mango in Indian. It is believed that it was first made in the 19th century by the Sassoon family in Bombay, although they were Iraqi Jews from Baghdad, so it can be said that amba is technically Indian in origin, but over time it became a staple in Iraq, Pakistan, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.

The condiment is made with unripe mangos, salt, oil, garlic, chili peppers, mustard seeds, vinegar, brown sugar, and spices such as cilantro, cumin, fenugreek, turmeric, and cayenne pepper. In Iraq, amba is usually served over eggs, kebabs, and seafood.

In Israel, amba is a topping for shawarma, falafel, and sabich sandwich, while in Saudi Arabia it's typically served on a platter with various meats, bread, eggs, and cheese. Once prepared, it is recommended to let amba sit in the fridge overnight to develop the flavors.