Paavakka Fry / Bitter Gourd fry

Paavakka or Bitter gourd plays a major role in the dining tables during lental period. When most Christians avoid meat varieties during the months of February and March, Bitter gourd becomes their favorite vegetable in the State of Kerala.

I have tasted Bitter gourd fry often at my home. But this one is a bit different from the one I had at home. It was actually tried out by me after tasting it during a function. Bitter gourd fry with fried coconut flakes can add more taste and aroma.

Bitter gourd fry is the best accompaniment for rice, and it is a must try for any Keralite.

Ingredients

• Bitter gourd/ Paavakka- 1 large
• Onion - 1 large
• Red chilly powder- 1/4 tsp
• Asafoetida - 1/8 tsp
• Turmeric - 1/8 tsp
• Coconut gratings or Coconut flakes- 1/4 cup
• Rice flour- 1 tsp
• Salt
• Coconut oil

Method

• Cut the bitter gourd into fine and thin slices
• Add Red chilly powder, turmeric, asafoetida and salt to the bowl and mix well with the bitter gourd pieces
•  Now add 1 tsp of rice flour to the bitter gourd pieces. Mix well.
• Heat a frying pan and add coconut oil to it
• Add the bitter gourd mix to the oil and fry till crisp
• Remove from flame and place them on a tissue for draining off excess oil
• Now in the same oil, add finely chopped onions and fry till golden brown
• Add coconut flakes or coconut gratings to the pan and saute till brown colour.
• Now add a pinch of salt just right for the onion and coconut fry
• Finally you can add the fried bitter gourd pieces to the pan and mix well with coconut mix
• Serve hot with rice.
• Enjoy the yummy taste of bitter bitter gourd in a totally different style.