Pavakka Achar ( Bitter Gourd Pickle)

Overview
If you like Bitter gourd you will definitely love this pickle. This pickle has a combination of different flavors like hot, sour, bitter and sweet which makes it very unique. This pickle can be served as a condiment with any rice dish or Indian breads.

Bitter Gourd Pickle (Pavakka Achar)

Ingredients
Bitter gourd - 4 medium size cut into 2 inch long thin slices
Chilly powder - 2 -3 teaspoon
Turmeric powder- 1 teaspoon
Curry leaves - 3 sprigs
Garlic 8 - 10 cloves finely chopped
Ginger 3 inch piece finely chopped
Fenugreek seeds - 1 tablespoon roasted and powdered
Asafoetida powder - 1 teaspoon
Dry whole red chilly - 4 - 5 broken into pieces for garnish
Mustard seeds - 1 teaspoon
Vinegar about 1/4 cup
Brown sugar 1 - 2 teaspoon
Salt to taste
Oil about 4 tablespoons

Steps
1. Heat a non stick pan and add the sliced bitter gourd melon and keep stirring till all the water evaporates. Add 2 tablespoon of oil to this and stir the bitter gourd till it gets  crispy and brown. Keep this aside.
2. Heat the remaining oil in a pan. When the oil gets hot. Add the mustard seeds and let it splutter. Add the dry chilly pieces and curry leaves to this and saute few minutes.
3. Add the finely chopped garlic and ginger to this and saute well till it is lightly brown. Add the chilly powder, turmeric powder to this and saute well. Add the fried Bitter gourd to this and mix well.
4. Add the vinegar  and salt to this and mix well. Add asafoetida, fengreek powder and brown sugar to this and mix well and bring it to boil. Turn off heat.
5. Let the pickle cool to room temperature. Store in a clean jar.