Nibblous | baigan achari (lake palace hotel's aubergine cooked in pickling style)

Ingredients

• 1 inch cube of fresh ginger, coarsely chopped
• 6 large cloves garlic, peeled
• 2 fl ozs (55ml) water
• 13/4 lbs aubergines
• 2 fl ozs water
• about 1.25 teaspoons salt
• One third teaspoon cayenne (more if you like)
• 1 tablespoon ground coriander seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 3 tablespoons of oil
• 1 teaspoon whole fennel seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon kalonji seeds (black onion seeds)
• about 12 fl oz (350ml) vegetable oil