Stuffed Bitter Gourd

Overview
Bitter gourd or Bitter melon stuffed with sauteed onions, mango powder and spices makes a delicious combination of all different flavors - sour , spicy and bitter. This is a north Indian dish and served as a side with any Indian bread( Chapati, Naan or Parotta). Whole tender small bitter melons are used for this dish.

Stuffed Bitter Gourd

Stuffed Bitter Gourd Ingredients

Ingredients
Whole small bitter melons 4
Lemon juice - Juice of 1 large lemon
Onions - 1 large finely chopped
Turmeric powder 1/2 teaspoon
Chilly powder 1 teaspoon
Coriander powder 1 teaspoon
Dry Mango powder 1 teaspoon
Fennel seed powder 1 teaspoon
Chick pea flour 1 tablespoon
Cumins seeds 1 teaspoon
Oil 6 tablespoons
Salt to taste

Steps
1. Wash the bitter gourd in water and pat dry. Scrap the outer ridges of the bitter melon and keep aside. We will use the scrapped ridges and the inside of the bitter mellon for the stuffing
2. Slit open the bitter melon on one side and scope out the inside. If the seeds are tender this can be used for the stuffing.
3. In a bowl mix lemon juice and salt and marinate the slit bitter gourd along with the scrapped ridges and inside seeds of bitter mellon. Let this marinate for 20 minutes.
4. After 20 minutes squeeze out the water from each bitter melon and then the scrapping and seeds and keep aside.
5. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a pan. When the oil gets hot add the cumin seeds. After the seeds splutter add the finely chopped onions.
6. Saute the onions till they are light brown. Add the all the spice powders - chilly, coriander, turmeric, fennel powder, mango powder and mix well. Add salt to taste.
7. When the spices are brown add the chick pea flour and mix well and fry few minutes. Mix the bittter melon seeds and ridge scrapping and mix well.
8. Cook covered on slow flame  for about 5 minutes. Turn off heat and bring this stuffing to room tempearture.
9. Stuff the bitter melons with the stuffing once it is at room temperature. Tie with string to keep the stuffing intact.
10. Heat 3 tablespoon oil in a pan and shallow fry these stuffed bitter melons in a covered pan on low flame. Keep rotating  the bitter gourd to get each side browned.

Serve hot with any Indian Bread.