Karathe Talasani (Bitter gourd Stir Fry)

Karathe Talasani is a simple bitter gourd dish. In Konkani, karathe means bitter gourd. This dish is a simple stir fry of bitter gourd which has a garlic seasoning and later on cooked in a tangy- spicy- sweet sauce.

This recipe is a forgiving recipe and is a common dish made at my BIL's home. The final taste of the dish is very unique and the bitterness is very well balanced by the tangy- spicy- sweet sauce. 

Ingredients:

• Bitter gourd, big sized- 2
• Red Chilli powder- 1 tsp
• Tamarind- Small lemon sized
• Jaggery- 4-5 Tbsp
• Garlic pods- 5-6
• Oil- 2 Tbsp
• Salt- To taste

Procedure:

Wash bitter gourd. Chop off the ends and then cut it open to remove the seeds.

Then cut it into thin strips or in any shape or size. Then take the chopped bitter gourd in a bowl and and add salt to it. Keep it for half an hour. After half an hour, squeeze out the extra moisture (bitterness) from the bitter gourd pieces and then keep it aside.

Now heat oil and then add crushed garlic pods. Fry it until it turns light brown. Then add chopped bitter gourd and mix well. Fry it until it turns slight brown (this might take 8- 10 minutes on a medium heat).

While the bitter melon pieces are getting cooked, prepare the tamarind pulp. Soak the tamarind piece in few tablespoons of hot water. Leave it for 5 minutes and then squeeze it properly to extract the pulp. Discard the fibrous remains.

Once the bitter gourd is well done then add the red chill powder and fry for a minute. Then add in the tamarind pulp and jaggery. Mix well. Let the bitter gourd cook in the spicy- tangy- sweet sauce for 5-6 minutes. 

At this point you can give a taste test and add more of red chilli powder or tamarind pulp or jaggery or salt. Once everything comes together, turn off the heat. Karathe Talasani is ready!!

Serve it hot along with rice and dal. Above measurement serves three people.