Bitter Gourd Fry (Paavakka/Kakarakaya/Karela Fry)
Bitter gourd stir-fried with onion, thin coconut pieces, and spices. In Kerala, this dish is popular as Pavakka Mezhukkupuratti. This Bitter Gourd Fry / Karela Fry is a quick and healthy side dish that goes along with rice.
Servings 4 servings
Ingredients
- 3 cup bitter gourd (sliced, from 3 small bitter gourds)
- 1 number onion (big size)
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 5 number green chilli
- ¾ cup coconut slices (thinly sliced, or thengakothu)
- salt
- 2 tablespoon Coconut oil / vegetable oil / sunflower oil
- 1 sprig curry leaves
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients- Wash bitter gourd, cut it in the center. Remove the seeds, but you can use the spongy center. Thinly slice the bitter gourd. Mix the bitter gourd with salt and keep it aside for 30 minutes. This really helps to reduce the bitterness of bitter gourd. Thinly slice the onions. Slit the green chilli. Thinly slice coconut into square bite-size pieces. Check the notes for details on coconut bite-sized pieces.
- Heat 2 tablespoon oil in a pan. Then add onion, bitter gourd, coconut pieces, green chilli, curry leaves, turmeric powder, and salt. Adding the onions and coconut pieces helps reduce the bitterness, so never compromise on it.
- Saute over medium heat. Stir in between. Otherwise, it can get burnt. Adjust salt. It might take around 20 minutes. Add oil in between if needed.
- Fry it until the consistency you need. Serve with rice :)
Video
Bitter Gourd Fry (Paavakka / Kakarakaya / Karela Fry)
Notes
- You can use either fresh coconut square bite-sized pieces or frozen ones. Don't go for dried coconut. I have tried using both fresh and frozen ones.
- Never miss out to do this. Mix the bitter gourd with salt and keep it aside for 30 minutes before you start the preparation. This really helps to reduce the bitterness of bitter gourd.