PAVAKKA THORAN - STIR-FRIED BITTER GOURD

   
     Pavakka Thoran/Stir-Fried Bitter Gourd is a typical Kerala Style traditional recipe prepared with Pavakka/Kaippakka - Bittermelon/Bitter Gourd. 'Thoran/Upperi' is a simple stir fry prepared with finely chopped vegetable, usually seasoned with mild spices and condiments and few spoons of grated coconut are added into the stir-fry. The name itself implies the nature of the vegetable, bitterness is overloaded in it that many sly seeing a recipe prepared with Bitter gourds.
      Childhood days went along with a distaste for the vegetable, and I am not sure when I developed a liking for recipes prepared with Bitter Gourds.  Knowing the nutritious value of this vegetable makes it even more appealing.  Last year, I was asked to have Bitter Gourd & Carrot Juice on an empty stomach for 45 days for my eye condition(as a part of my Uveitis treatment). As the lore goes it is not as bad as it is depicted, but what made me uncomfortable was that it lowered my blood sugar so drastically that I was literally walking around in a trance. Later, I realised that it was regulating my Blood Sugar Level, being a normal healthy person I had to manage it with Sugar intake(as adviced by the doctor). If your blood Sugar level is in normal condition take Bitter Gourd juice in moderation or only on medical advice.
      Pavakka Thoran is one of the vegetable side dishes served as a Lunch Menu or in a Sadhya.  It is typical not to serve anything bitter in a traditional Sadhyas, but some serve recipes like Pavakka Thoran, Pavakka Theeyal, Pavakka/Bitter Gourd Fry to balance the taste charts, one dish with a bitter note. Various other Vegetables like, Cabbage, Long Beans, French Beans, Snake Gourd, Bitter Gourd, Beetroot, Carrot, Spinach etc., can also be cooked in this method. Even vegetables like Cabbage & Carrot, Beans & Carrot, or all three vegetables - Cabbage, Carrot & Beans can be mixed together and prepared in the same way.

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Cuisine - Kerala (South India)
Course - Side dish
Spice Level - Moderate
Difficulty - Easy
Serves - 4
Author - SM

Preparation Time - 5 Minutes
Cooking Time - 5 - 7 Minutes

HOW TO MAKE PAVAKKA THORAN - STIR-FRIED BITTER GOURD

 

INGREDIENTS :

Bitter Gourd - 2 Cups
Shallots - 4-5 Nos.
Garlic - 1-2 Cloves
Green Chillies - 1 No.
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 Tspn
Red Chilli Powder - 1/2 Tspn
Coconut - 2-3 Tbspn
Salt - To Taste
Sugar - a Pinch

For Seasoning :

Mustard Seeds - 1 Tspn
Curry Leaves - 1 Sprig
Cumin Seeds - a Pinch.
Coconut Oil - 1 Tbspn.

METHOD :

• Clean and cut the Bitter Gourd into halves.
• Scoop out the flesh & the seeds.
• Finely chop the Bitter Gourd.
• Finely chop Shallots, Green Chillies & Garlic.
• Heat Oil in a pan, splutter Mustard Seeds and Curry leaves.
• Add finely chopped Shallots, Green Chillies, Garlic, and saute until Shallots turn translucent.
• Add Turmeric Powder and Red Chilli Powder to the above and give a quick stir.
• Add a pinch of Cumin seeds followed with finely chopped Bitter Gourd.
• Add Salt and a pinch of Sugar and give a quick stir.
• Cover and cook briefly.
• Add in grated coconut and mix well.
• Cook for a while on a low flame.
• Serve Pavakka Thoran/Stir-fried Bitter Gourd as a side dish for Rice.

NOTES :

• Some do not add Onions & Garlic while cooking for a Sadhya.
• Adding Sugar is purely optional, but it will fairly reduce the bitterness in the vegetable.