BITTER GOURD CRISPY FRY / PAVAKA VATTAL

When I bought a bag full of bitter gourds from the market, I prepared almost all the GSB

Dishes. Still, I had many in the fridge. Once I saw a lovely dish in a food group, posted by my

dear friend Manju Rao who said this dish is prepared during Christian weddings, in Kerala.

Since then I was restless till I had prepared the dish. Here's the recipe.

BITTER-GOURD CRISPY FRY

WHAT YOU NEED:

Bittergourd - 2 , cut 3" length and sliced thin

Onion - 2, sliced thin

Green chilly - 5, slit

Ginger - 1/2 inch piece, chopped finely

Red chilly flakes / red chilly powder -

Curry leaves - 1 spring

Salt

PAVAKA VATTAL...

HOW TO MAKE  :

Apply salt to the sliced bittergourd and keep for an hour.

After an hour squeeze the bittergourd to take out the salty water.

Now in a vessel put the squeezed bittergourd, chopped ginger and slit green chilies. Heat it and cook over a low flame for 5 minutes.

Then heat enough oil in a kadahi.

When hot add Curry leaves and fry till they are crispy. Remove .

Then put sliced onions, fry till they are brown and crisp. Remove.

Then add bittergourd along with chilli and ginger. Fry them till they are brown and crisp. Remove.

Now add all the fried items in a big bowl and mix well.

Sprinkle little chilly flakes / chilli powder and salt if needed.

When it is cool store in a air tight container. It will last for 2-3 days.