Bitter gourds are among the most beloved and most hated veggies in India, but there is no doubting their amazing, almost magical healing powers. This simple but delicious Bitter Gourd Sabzi, cooked with spices and peanuts, is enough to convert the most die-hard bitter gourd hater.
Ah, the bitter gourd.
It’s ugly, it’s bitter, it plays hard-to-get here in the U.S., and yet…it’s so delicious, it drives me to poetry.
Well, not really, but it does make me a happier cook.
I’ve posted a couple of bitter gourd (karela or pagarkai) recipes before, but as you can see, I am in love with this healthful veggie, which makes me pounce on it anytime I spot a fresh bunch at my Indian grocery store which, unfortunately, is not all that often. I also keep trying to find new ways to cook it up. And the simpler the recipe, the happier I am.
This Karela Sabzi is so simple and so delicious, it’s a treat for a busy weeknight. The caramelized onions give the sabzi a richness and depth, and the sugar and peanuts contrast beautifully with the bitterness of the gourd, toning it down while not disguising it completely, which would be a pity.
I used storebought Tava Masala in this sabzi: I love fresh-ground spices, but on a weeknight time’s hard to find and it never hurts to take some help from the readymade-masala gods.
Now for the sabzi. Try it, even if you don’t love the bitter gourd, and who knows? You might start writing odes to it too!
Bitter Gourd Sabzi
Ingredients
- 5 small bitter gourd melons, washed thoroughly and cut crosswise into thin rings, about 2 mm thick. Remove any hard seeds embedded in the white flesh.
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp Tava masala (available at Indian grocery stores)
- 1/4 cup peanuts, coarsely powdered
- 1 tsp red chilli powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1 tbsp canola or other vegetable oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a skillet.
- Add the onions and stir to coat with oil. Add the sugar and stir in.
- On medium heat, cook the onions, stirring frequently, until they start to brown.
- Add the bitter gourd rings and salt.
- Toss thoroughly with the onions, then add the tava masala, chilli powder and turmeric and stir together.
- Turn the heat to low, put a lid on the skillet, and cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes or so, until the onions and the bitter gourd caramelize and the bitter gourd is tender.
- Add the peanut powder and stir into the sabzi.
- Check salt. Turn off heat.
- Serve hot with chapatis or as a side-dish with rice and dal.
Other recipes to try:
Bottle Gourd Sabzi
Karela Rajma
Bitter Gourd Pitlai
Dibs says
January 10, 2009 atI love bitter gourd dishes. I like the idea of adding peanuts to this one. The dish looks yummy. Haven’t been in an Indian store for a while …must but a couple of different masalas and see!
Cham says
January 10, 2009 atIn my house I am the only one who dive for this veggie, howewer i make it they just reject! Peanut should bring a nice nutty flavor
Mahimaa's kitchen says
January 10, 2009 atkarelas look mouthwatering. i love them. i like the fact that it is bitter unlike other veggies. 🙂
Madhu says
January 10, 2009 atI like bitter gourd now, didn’t like while growing up.We use lots of jaggery while cooking them, it balances the bitteness.
This is a new recipe to me…looks good.
Vij says
January 10, 2009 atBitter gourd curry looks good! nice click.
Ramya says
January 10, 2009 atThis is my first time to your blog. The bitter gourd subzi looks good. Does the jaggery and peanut balance the bitterness?
DJ Karma says
January 10, 2009 athmmm- I’ve never tried bitter gourd. Wonder if I can find it out here in Cali. Looks beautiful!
Sunshinemom says
January 10, 2009 atLooks good! I use MDH Tava Masala too sometimes! It adds great flavor to any stir fry. I have some karelas – lets see what happens!
Gita's Kitchen says
January 10, 2009 atThis is a little bit different from my preparation, caramalized onions with karela should taste great….
Soma says
January 10, 2009 atKarela is one of my fav. veggies. Buy them whenever I get them. Using peanuts is really new to me. U post some real different recipes.
Shreya says
January 11, 2009 athi Vaishali, what a mouth watering picture! We love karela too, and I made it yesterday with yogurt. I love your recipe for the subji, but I think I will avoid the sugar and, if required, would prefer to add jaggery instead. Peanuts sounds more interesting in this dish:-)
Curry Leaf says
January 11, 2009 atI too love bittergourd dishes and use tava masala and simply stirfry with it.Never added all the other ingredients and made a proper side dish.Looks yum
A Collection of Thoughts says
January 12, 2009 atHi Vaishali,
Discovered your “kingdom” through Sangita Kalarickal’s page. Lovely recipes.
Just a small question:
when exactly you add the Tava Masala while cooking this Bitter Gourd Subzi? It is not mentioned..or did I just miss it?
Thank you and keep giving us mouthwatering recipes:)!!
~Mita
Bahaar says
October 28, 2018 atLooks delicious!