Stuffed Pavakai/Karela/Bitter Gourd

 

We are all aware that bitter gourd is really good for health.But,many do not like this vegetable because of their bitter taste.I always keep trying some new recipes with this karela.Never more than twice I repeat the same recipe:))...By one such attempt I came up with this interesting recipe.Again,there are many ways to prepare this dish,I added my own spices to it and the end result was awesome!!!My husband loved it(finally it paid off my efforts:))...Hope you all also find it interesting!!Sorry about the photography(it is not that good;))..


INGREDIENTS:
1) Bitter gourd/karela - 10
For stuffing:
2) Chopped onions - 1/2 cup
3) Besan/kadalai mavu - 3/4th cup
4) Dry mango powder - 1/2 tsp
5) Ginger garlic paste - 1tsp
6) Turmeric powder - 1/2tsp
7) Coriander cumin powder - 1 1/2tsp
8) Red chilly powder to taste
9) Salt to taste
10) Jaggery - 2tsp
11) Tamarind extract - 2tblsp
12) Oil - 5 tblsp
13) Hing - little

Utensil needed - twine or simple tread.

First,scape the outer skin of the karela's(do not discard the gratings).Make a slit in the middle and remove the seeds.Wash the karela's well and then in a bowl,rub lot of salt on them and keep aside.Also put some salt on the scrapings and keep aside for 30 to 45 minutes.This will help to remove almost all the bitterness.

After the required amount of time,wash the karela's and its scrapings really well so that the salt is totally removed.Now,it is time to work on the stuffing.

In a pan,heat half of the oil.Saute onions,ginger garlic paste till translucent.Next,add the karela gratings,fry till it shrinks in quantity.Add,the besan and other spices one by one and saute for about a minute each.Then,add tamarind extract and salt.Saute for a minute or two.Finally,add the jaggery and mix really well with other ingredients,switch off the stove.The katta-metta stuffing will be kind of dry sticky paste,but will taste yummy!!! Allow it to cool down completely.

Then,fill each karela with this stuffing.Tie a twine or simple tread to each karela,so that the stuffing does not come out of it.Keep aside some of the stuffing to sprinkle over the karela's while frying.

In a big flat pan,heat the remaining oil and place the karela's carefully.Keep frying(on low-medium flame)the karela's by turning them around at regular intervals until they are totally cooked.Sprinkle the remaining stuffing over them and finally fry for about 5 minutes.Remember to remove the string/tread when cooled down a bit.

Yummy hot stuffed karela is ready!!! Serve it with hot steaming rice or rotis.

Note:Avoid jaggery when cooking for diabetic patients.