MARGAO: Florina Gomes, originally from Borda and now residing in Chandor after marriage, spends most of her free time immersed in two of her greatest passions: gardening and cooking. In her garden, she finds joy in weeding, ensuring it remains clean and presentable. As for her culinary endeavours, she has developed a particular fondness for preparing pickles—a skill she inherited from her father and his sister, who taught her to cook from a very young age.
For the past two years, Florina has been single-handedly preparing and selling pickles, drawing inspiration from her late father, whom she fondly remembers as her greatest motivation. She specialises in pickles such as lemon, tendli, and raw mango, in addition to masala preparations used for recheado. Florina typically sells her products at the fair in Margão or directly to customers who visit her home. She also stocks some of her pickles at her brother’s store in the SGPDA market in Margão.
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“Every day, I spend about two hours preparing pickles. I wish I could do more, but my health doesn’t allow it,” she says. Florina takes pride in the fact that she doesn’t use any commercially prepared synthetic preservatives in her pickles, relying solely on salt and palm vinegar. “People like my products and even place orders to be sent to their relatives abroad,” she adds, although she notes that the profit margin is sometimes as low as Rs 10 per product. She also mentions that many customers bargain extensively, often overlooking the effort that goes into making her pickles. “People need to understand that the cost of raw materials has increased significantly, so the price of the products must also reflect that,” she explains.
Florina’s pickles are made using regional ingredients and traditional recipes passed down through generations, resulting in unique flavour profiles deeply rooted in local culinary traditions. She often sources fresh, seasonal produce from local markets, enhancing the taste and texture of her pickles. Florina employs artisanal methods, such as small-batch production and hand-packing, which ensure attention to detail and a higher quality product.
“Buying locally made pickles like mine often means supporting small businesses and local artisans, fostering a connection between consumers and their community,” she says. The personal touch she brings to her products is evident in the quality and creativity of her pickles, which are passionately prepared with love. Florina’s pickles often possess a unique charm and flavour that set them apart from mass-produced, commercially manufactured varieties.
