Pavakkai Varuval/ Bittergourd Fry

Pavakkai / Bittergourd is a rarely loved vegetable by most people but this is my favourite veggie.My hubby likes Pavakkai Puli kulambu the most than this fry.As you all know bittergourd  is loaded with lots of precious nutrients and vitamins and especially so good for diabetics.This veggie is available all round the year and I try to include often in our menu.This is a simple fry recipe  but takes some time and patience to get it right.This goes well with sambar rice and curd rice .Lets see the preparation…

 

 

Ingredients

 

Bitter gourd / Pavakkai – 2 in nos

Onion – 1 , chopped

Turmeric powder / Manjal thool – 1/2 tsp

Chilli powder / Milagai thool – 1 tsp

Curry leaves – a spring

Oil – 2  tbsp

Salt to taste

For Tempering

Mustard seeds / Kadugu – 1/2 tsp

Urad dal / Ulunthamparuppu – 1/2 tsp

Fennel seeds / Sombu – 1/2 tsp

Preparation
Grab your ingredients.
                                            Include Fennel Seeds too…
Slice the bitter gourd thinly ,remove seeds or keep them as per your wish and wash it with water several times.

Heat oil in a kadai and add the tempering agents and wait for spluttering.

Add the chopped onions and curry leaves and fry till the onion turns golden brown.
Add the sliced veggie and give a good mix.
Then add the turmeric powder , chilli powder and required salt and mix well.
Now cook the veggie until it turns soft.(It will take 15 – 20 mins. Keep in medium low flame and Keep on stirring in between to avoid burning.)

Serve this side with sambar rice or curd rice.
Notes :

• Increase or decrease the amount of chilli as per your taste.
• Some like to add a little sugar or jaggery or  1/2 tsp tamarind paste to lessen the bitterness.But I like to have this with its original taste.So I didn’t add anything.Some will soak the sliced veggie in salt water for 10 mins to reduce the bitterness.If you wish to neutralize the bitterness then try the above ideas.
• I didn’t add water but in case if you feel so dry and sticking to the bottom then add a splash of water.

Related Recipes:

• Pavakkai Masala Fry / Bittergourd Masala Fry

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