Ingredients:
Tamarind Pulp – 1/4 cup
Bitter Gourds – 1/4 kg
Turmeric Powder – 1/2 tsp
Salt – 1/2 tsp
Coriander Powder – 3/4 tsp
Cumin Powder – 3/4 tsp
Sesame Seeds – 1/2 tsp, ground
Red Chilli Powder – 1/4 tsp
Onion – 1, finely chopped
Ginger – 1/2 tsp, ground
Garlic – 1/2 tsp, ground
Curry Leaves – few
Coriander Leaves – handful, for garnishing
Method:
1. Scrape the bitter gourds and slit on one side.
2. Clean out the inside and rub turmeric and salt.
3. Keep it on a plate in the sun for 8 hours or keep it inside overnight.
4. Then soak it in water for 30 minutes.
5. Squeeze well.
6. Boil in water with 1/2 tsp of tamarind pulp till half cooked.
7. Strain and squeeze well again.
8. Dry roast coriander powder, sesame seeds, cumin and mix them with the chilli powder 1/2 turmeric powder, tamarind pulp and salt.
9. Stuff each bitter gourd with this mixture.
10. Keep 1/3rd of the stuffing for gravy.
11. Tie each stuffed gourd with a string to keep the stuffing in place.
12. Fry in oil over medium heat till brown and crisp.
13. Remove from oil.
14. In the same pan, fry the onions.
15. Add ginger, garlic, curry leaves and kept aside stuffing mixture.
16. Saute well.
17. Add 1 cup of water and simmer to make a gravy.
18. Pour over the fried gourd.
19. Garnish with coriander leaves.
20. Serve.
Tip: The fried bitter gourd can be consumed as is without the gravy or can be stored for 5 to 7 days.
