Stuffed Bitter Gourd

Ingredient:

1 Pound Bitter Gourd

1 Medium Onions (Thinly Sliced)

1-2 tbsp Jaggery

4 tbsp Oil

Stuffing Masala: (Nalla Karam)

4 tbsp Coriander Seeds(Daniyalu)

1 tbsp Cumin Seeds (Jeelakarra)

1 tbsp Sesame Seeds (Nuvvulu - optional)

10-15 - Dry Red Chillies

5 - 10 Garlic Cloves

1 Medium lemon size Tamarind (Chinta Pandu)

Salt to taste

Masala Preparation:

Dry roast all the ingredients and make it a fine powder.

You can make a large batch and store it for further use.

Stuffing Preparation:

Steam cook the bitter gourd without cutting the edges for 5 -8 minutes (Not pressure cooking)

I used the Ninja Foodi Steam Cook option. If you don’t have a steamer option, place them in boiling water for 5 -10 minutes depending on the heat of the water.

Once the bitter gourd reaches room temperature, cut the edges and scoop out the seeds from one end to other end and place them aside

In a pan, add oil and bitter gourd seeds and statue them for 2 - 3 mins.

Add thinly sliced onion (or ready to use fried onions) and saute it until the onion cooked golden brown

Once it cools down, place it in a mixer jar and add previously made masala(Nalla Karam), Jaggery and make it a good paste

Curry Preparation:

Stuff the thick paste into the hallow bitter gourd from one end to other ends

In a pan, add 2 tbsp of oil, saute the stuffed bitter gourd on each side and place them on a plate.

On the same pan add peanuts, chilies, and thinly sliced onion and remaining stuffing masala.

Place bitter guard and saute it for 5 - 10 mins

Enjoy the bitter gourd with rice

Picture Courtesy: Online Images. I forgot to take the picture of the final product