Indian Gooseberry, called Amla, makes preserve or drink

An Indian friend of mine from Toastmasters in London just messaged me on Facebook to say the fruit is an Indian gooseberry known locally as an Amla.

Now I am sure of the correct identity and Indian name I can find pictures and authentic recipes.
I googled how to cook and serve Indian gooseberry or a m l a (spaces inserted because spell checker or auto correct prefers alma) and if you do the same you will find several links to pages of half a dozen or more recipes.

Amla Preserve
One recipe for a sweet concoction, called Grated amla murabba or "amla ke chheel ka murabba, involves grating the fruit, making a sugar syrup, adding cardamom and saffron and storing in a sterile jar for up to a year.

I looked up the translation of Murabba and the result was sweet fruit preserve.

http://food.ndtv.com/lists/5-best-amla-recipes-759851

ALMA Drink
You can boil and/or liquidise it with added sugar, cumin and salt as a drink.

http://www.tarladalal.com/Amla-ka-Sharbat-31727r

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer.