Chatpata Karela: This Bitter Gourd Recipe Is Not Bitter At All

Bitter Gourds are meant to be bitter and tasteless, right? Not anymore, this recipe of Chatpata Karela is delicious, healthy and full of flavours. Though rich in nutrients and essential elements, bitter gourd is one of the least favourable vegetables to be consumed in Indian households. It is considered bitter and has no taste or good flavours. Even the spices added while preparing karelas make it bitter.

This recipe has all the solutions relating to the issues attached to it. This recipe contains jaggery which not only makes the curry sweet, tangy and savoury but also brings the goodness and nutrients of it. This recipe is full of flavours and serves as a wholesome dish to everyone in the family.

The recipe shared below contains both tamarind and jaggery which make the karelas chatpata and flavoursome. Each bite of the dish comes with a blast of flavours in the mouth. 

Since ancient times, Ayurveda has supported the use of jaggery for medicinal and therapeutic purposes. This is due to the fact that jaggery is believed to have a significantly higher mineral content than white sugar, in addition to the fact that it is a natural and nutritious sweetener.

Jaggery contains significant amounts of zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, and even trace amounts of thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin. According to studies, jaggery has a lot of phytochemicals and antioxidants, certain plant proteins, and B vitamins. It makes sense that eating jaggery has numerous potential advantages, especially during the winter.

Jaggery cleanses the whole body, prevents diseases like anemia and also improves immune function. It maintains the control of glucose in the body and also helps in weight loss.

Ingredients:

• 3 Medium-size Onions (sliced and chopped)
• ½ Kg Bitter Gourd ( cut into slices and soaked in salt water for 3 hours)
• ½ tbsp Cumin Seeds
• 1 tbsp Fennel Seeds
• 100 grams Brown Sugar
• 30 grams Tamarind (soaked in water)
• 1 tsp Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder
• ½ tsp Turmeric Powder
• Salt as per taste
• Refined Oil for cooking
• ¼ tsp Asafoetida (Hing)

Method Of Preparation:

1. Take the karelas soaked in salt water and wash them with normal water
2. Take water in a heavy bottomed vessel and boil the karelas for around 15 minutes
3. After 15 minutes, heat oil in a wok and add hing, cumin and fennel seeds; let them crackle
4. Now add onions and cook till turned translucent
5. Now turn the flame low and add turmeric powder and boiled karelas to it, mix them well
6. Now add salt and mix the karelas
7. Cover and cook for around 15 minutes
8. Further add jaggery and tamarind pulp and mix well
9. Again cover and cook the karelas for around 10 minutes
10. After 10 minutes, remove the lid and cook the karelas until the water oozed out from it gets dried up
11. Once the water dries up, add kashmiri red chilli powder and mix well
12. Add coriander leaves, mix well and turn off the flame
13. The Chatpata Karela is ready to be served

This recipe of sweet and tangy karela could be served with chapatis or rice and dal on the lunch or dinner table. It will add nutrients to your meal.