Stuffed Bitter Gourd

Bitter melon is the most bitter of all the vegetables. In my childhood I used to hate to eat this karela. My mom used to make Bitter melon fry with chopped onions, which gives little sweet taste with out any jagery or sugar.

The original home of the species is not known, other than that it is a native of the tropics. It is widely grown in India and other parts of the Indian subcontinent.

Bitter melon is rich in B1, B2, B3, C and also Magnesium, folic acid, fiber, zinc, and phosphorus. And low in Calories.

I usually cook Bitter melon in two or three varieties like regular fry, chips or fry with roasted dhalia. But from the day I watched Vah chef Sanjay Thumma’s version of stuffed bitter melon, I am very eager to try his version. Finally last week I tried…..and as usual enjoyed his dish like anything.

Ingredients:

Bitter Melon – 4 or 5 (Short ones)

Oil – 3 tbsp

 For stuffing:

Chopoped onion – 1

Chopped green chilli – 3 or 4

Cumin seeds – ½ tsp

Oil – 1 tbsp

Red chilli powder – 1 tsp

Besan flour – 1 tsp

Salt – to taste

Turmeric - pinch

Dried Mango Powder (optional)

Procedure:

Wash bitter melons and scrape them little and wipe them with a paper towel.

Now make a vertical slit to the bitter melon and remove the seeds.

Finely chop onion and green chilli and set aside. If possible chop the removed bitter melon seeds and set aside.

Take a cooking pan, add 1 tbsp of oil and when it hot enough add cumin seeds when they splutter, add green chilli and onion, turmeric and add little salt and cook till they turn little golden brown.

Then add besan flour, red chilli powder and mix well and cook till the raw smell of flour goes off.

Now add bitter melon seeds and fry till they are well cooked.

Let it cool to the room temperature.

Now stuff the onion and seeds mixture in the bitter melons.

In the same pan, add 3 tbsp of oil and when it is hot enough place the stuffed bitter melon and cook them for few minutes and then reduce the flame to medium and cover it with the lid.

Turn the bitter melons to the other side and cook till they turn brown.

 Now turn the flame to low and nicely roast them all the sides for few minutes and switch off the stove.

Note:

You can tie stuffed bitter melons with tread immediately after stuffed and then cook. If not turn them very carefully and cook.