Bitter gourd is a tropical vegetable, which is cultivated mainly in the Asian and African countries. It is also known by the name of ‘Karela’ and has a rough, warty skin. itter gourd has been found to have great medicinal value. In fact, it is said to have antidotal, antipyretic tonic, appetizing, stomachic, antibilious and laxative properties. This is the main reason why the vegetable is used in a number of native medicines of Asia and Africa.

Though it has a bitter taste it is widely used in Cooking especially Indian.

Young bitter gourds which do not have hard seeds are the best for cooking. If the seeds are not tender they are mostly removed before cooking. This Vegetable is normally not mixed with other vegetables because of its bitter taste. However the bitterness of this Vegetable can be reduced to some extent by putting the cut pieces in boiled water with salt for 5 minutes. Another way is by exposing the salted bitter melon pieces to sunlight for a few hours and then squeezes the pieces by hand to remove excess salt and bitterness. If necessary this pieces can be rinsed before using for cooking. Then it's rinsed with water a few times

Nutrient Content

Bitter gourd contains complex vitamin B, C, essential minerals such as magnesium, folate, zinc, phosphorus, manganese, and high dietary fiber.

Health benefits of Bitter Gourd (Karela)

• Bitter gourd has been associated with lowering sugar levels in people suffering from diabetes.
• Bitter gourd is said to be helpful in fighting against cancer and a number of infections.
• Bitter gourd has been known to provide relief from constipation and is also effective in the treatment of psoriasis.
• It helps in the circulation of blood in our body.
• Regular consumption of bitter gourd helps to prevent hypertension.
• It helps to prevent eye complications. Apart from this, it also helps a lot in treating neuritis.
• It helps in the treatment of alcoholism. Actually it is the juice of the bitter gourd that is found to be beneficial.
• The number of vitamins and minerals that are present in the bitter gourd are very helpful in treating defective metabolism of carbohydrates.
• For those suffering from piles, fresh juice of bitter gourd serves a good purpose in there treatment.
• It also acts as a blood purifier because of the bitter tonic properties of bitter.

Bitter Gourd (Karela) Recipes

Stuffed Masala Karela Recipe

Ingredients
4 Healthy firm bittergourds
1 pingpong sized ball tamarind
1 pingpong sized ball jaggery
1 onion finely chopped
1 tomato finely chopped
1/2 tsp. ginger grated
1/2 tsp. garlic crushed
1 stalk curry leaves
1 tsp. red chilli powder
1 tsp. dhania powder
1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
1 tbsp. peanuts crushed
1 tsp. black masala powder
salt to taste
1/2 tsp. each mustard & cumin seeds
2 tbsp. oil
1 tsp. coriander leaves to garnish.
Salt for rubbing gourds

Method

• Scrape bittergourds lightly. Make vertical slits along each gourd.
• Remove any ripe seeds. Run salt all over gourds. Keep aside for 1 hour.
• Mash to pulp, remove and piths and seeds. Keep aside.
• Wash well in running water.
• Boil plenty of water, drop in washed gourds.
• Boil uncovered till gourds are soft but not mushy.
• Drain and wash well again. Pat dry on kitchen towel.
• Mix all dry masalas and salt.
• Add peanuts, ginger, garlic, and mix well.
• Stuff each gourd with mixture. Cut into 1 inch thick slices.
• Heat oil, add curry leaves, seeds, and allow to splutter.
• Add asafoetida, stir, add onions, stir till transparent.
• Soak tamarind and jaggery in 1/2 cup water till soft.
• Add tomatoes, stir and add jaggery pulp.
• Add gourd slices and = cup water.
• Cover and cook till gravy gets thick, and oil starts to ooze.
• Garnish with chopped coriander, serve hot with chappatis.