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    Home » Recipes » Subzi

    Punjabi Bharwan Karela - Stuffed bitter gourd

    Published: May 12, 2018 · by Nisha

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Punjabi bharwan karela - Bittergourds stuffed with a spicy and tangy onion masala, fried until they become crispy and tender. One of the best ways to use bitter gourd in your meals.

    Bitter gourds are not the favourite veggie for many, especially kids. But they are one of the highly nutritious veggies available out there. Intaking them regularly is good for health. So today's recipe feature bitter gourd as the star ingredient. Yet another exotic and rare recipe from the Punjab region. Stuffed with aromatic masala and pan fried until they become crispy.

    It is a bit time consuming but the end product is worth every minute spent. Serve this with rice or roti or phulkas.

     

    4.67 from 6 votes
    Print
    Punjabi Bharwan Karela - Stuffed bitter gourd
    Prep Time
    30 mins
    Cook Time
    30 mins
    Total Time
    1 hr
     

    Punjabi Bharwan Karela - Deep fried bitter gourd stuffed with a spicy and tangy onion peanut masala.

    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Indian, Punjabi
    Servings: 5 pieces
    Author: Nisha
    Ingredients
    • 6 medium sized bitter gourd
    • Salt to rub
    For the stuffing
    • 500 grams onions, finely chopped (about 2.5 cups)
    • 2 teaspoon coriander powder
    • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
    • 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
    • 2 tablespoon peanuts, crushed
    • 1 tablespoon besan (gram flour)
    • Coriander leaves
    Instructions
    1. Scrape the outer skin of the bitter gourd with a back of the knife or a spoon. Slit vertically to create a opening. Do not half. Spread it a little and scrape the inside clean. Remove the seeds and white part. Handle it gently so that it does not break into two. 

    2. Then rub salt on the inside and outside of the bitter gourd. Leave it aside for 20 minutes. Then wash them well in cold water. Squeeze the excess water out and pat them dry gently. 

    Stuffing
    1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pan over medium high. Once it is hot, add the onions, garlic and little salt. Let it sweat and the onions turn golden brown. 

    2. Once it softens, add besan and all the spice powders. Keep stirring until the onions brown nicely. Sprinkle the crushed peanuts on top and coriander leaves. Let it cool. 

    Stuffing the karela
    1. Now, carefully stuff the filling inside each bitter gourd and tie them with a string, so that it does not fall apart. 

    2. Heat oil in a cast iron pan (or any heavy bottomed pan). Place the stuffed bitter gourd carefully in a single layer. Keep turning and cook them until they brown on all sides. Keep the flame low to medium. 

    3. Remove and drain the excess oil. Serve them with roti or phulkas. 

    Recipe Notes

    Scraping the sides and removing the seeds helps in removing the bitterness of the bitter gourd. Rubbing salt also does the same. But, keep in mind, the bitterness cant be removed completely.

    This post is for Blogging Marathon 88 under the theme “Regional cuisine”. Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM #88 here.

    View other "Subzi" recipes

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. sapana says

      June 12, 2018 at 12:27 pm

      We love making this bharava karela in summer days but tell you what we also stuff back in the sides and inside of it after sauteeing with onions. Mostly we also add raw mango or dry mango powder too but this version with besan and peanuts sounds more interesting, I will give it a try.

      Reply
    2. farah says

      June 01, 2018 at 3:45 pm

      omg! yum..........im drooling here...........never come across stuffed bittergourd. loving the idea........

      Reply
    3. themadscientistskitchen says

      May 28, 2018 at 8:21 am

      My favourite veggie in mt favourite way. Stuffed n fried. Love it nisha

      Reply
    4. Sowmya says

      May 27, 2018 at 5:39 am

      I love bitter gourd and this looks like a lovely way to have them. Bookmarking!

      Reply
    5. Varada says

      May 26, 2018 at 4:54 pm

      I love the pictures and the way you have presented the dish. Looks really appetizing!

      Reply
    6. Renu says

      May 25, 2018 at 11:33 am

      Beautifully presented...I dont like Karela...But I want to grab this now....awesome

      Reply
    7. Srivalli says

      May 23, 2018 at 10:22 am

      Love the whole presentation Nisha. Even those who may not like this vegetable will surely drool over it..very good choice! Enjoyed your regional fare..

      Reply
    8. Mayuri Patel says

      May 21, 2018 at 9:57 pm

      I'm not a fan of bitter gourd but my hubby is. This is one sabji that he would love. Adding onion to the stuffing is a nice idea.

      Reply
    9. Harini says

      May 17, 2018 at 2:40 am

      The filling sounds very tasty. Though I am not a great fan of karela, I am sure my husband will love this version.

      Reply
    10. Gayathri Kumar says

      May 14, 2018 at 11:18 am

      These stuffed karelas look so spicy and absolutely yum. I can have karelas any time of the day..

      Reply
    11. Priya Suresh says

      May 13, 2018 at 3:50 pm

      How delicious those stuffed bitter gourd looks, its been a while i prepare bittergourd at home. Looks super tempting Nisha, seriously those Punjabi Bharwan karela rocks.

      Reply

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    Nisha freelances as a food & product photographer/recipe developer & content creator in the F&B space.

    She loves everything about food and their stories! You can find her mostly in the kitchen trying to whip up something or reading culinary anecdotes.

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