By Shreya Goswami
Bitter gourd may not be everyone’s favourite, but the vegetable we commonly call Karela has plenty of health benefits to provide. Here are some of the best Karela dishes from across India for you to try.
A typical North Indian dish that involves cooking thinly sliced bitter gourd in a mix of spices until crispy and golden brown.
This Bengali niramish or pure vegetarian dish is made with Karela cooked in a mustard paste gravy.
Originating in Gujarat, this Karela Batata Nu Shaak is a pure vegetarian dish that is also suitable for Jains.
From Andhra cuisine, this one is made with tamarind, jaggery, coconut, curry leaves, mustard seeds and minced garlic.
Perfect for summers, Karela Kadhi is a much-loved dish in North and Western India that isn’t too bitter either.
Originating in Manipur, this one is a crispy mix of onions, garlic, chillies and bitter gourd.
Tart and slightly bitter, Hagalakayi Gojju is a dish between a pickle and a chutney from Karnataka.
This classic stuffed bitter gourd dish is more of a pan-Indian one that has slight regional variations.