karela( bitter gourd )

[farhat]

Yesterday while discussing in my Hindi' class, the tastes; sour, bitter etc, I mentioned karela. They ofcourse did'nt know what this veggie was. it was difficult to describe the taste...... But sure someone can tell me ; DO WE HAVE ANYTHING OF A SIMILAR TASTE HERE IN FRANCE?????

I simply love it and yearn for it. Back home I have my quota for the whole year!!!! So it'll be very soon. i am leaving for India on this 29th


Who else likes karelas???? let me know pleeeease!
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FARHAT.

[sabine]

is it the thing?:

[Sourav]

Exactly, I love it, when served fried. However, while boiled or in the curry, it tastes terrible to me. But I know there are people who likes Karela in all it's form.

Here I have seen that in Bangladeshi shops.

I was used to take this variety by the way, before it gets red.


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[sabine]

[Sourav]

I might be wrong ... I made the above statement thinking that getting red means ripe. Now I am thinking that they may be two different varieties all together.

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[farhat]

Thanks sabine . That's the veggie!
Yes i agree with you sourav. It turns red when it ripens and the seeds turn hard too. Smaller and tender......the better!!!!! Me too I like it fried; nice and crispy and stuffed too(with minced meat) Have you tried that???????
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FARHAT.

[Sourav]

[Bliss]

Nutritional Benefits:
Bitter gourds are very low in calories but dense with precious nutrients. It is an excellent source of vitamins B1, B2, and B3, C, magnesium, folic acid, zinc, phosphorus, manganese, and has high dietary fiber. It is rich in iron, contains twice the beta-carotene of broccoli, twice the calcium of spinach, and twice the potassium of a banana.
There is also another insulin-like compound known as polypeptide P which have been suggested as insulin replacement in some diabetic patients.

Tips:
Store bitter melons in the vegetable bin in the refrigerator which has the right temperature. It should keep for three to four days.
Keeping bitter melons at room temperature or with other fruits and vegetables will hasten the melon to ripen and become more bitter, due to the emission of ethylene gas.
The smaller variety is more bitter than the bigger one. To help make bitter gourd juice more palatable, take it with honey, or add carrot or apple juice. For diabetics, drink the juice with green apple juice.

Caution:
Do not consume more than two ounces of bitter melon, or more than two melons a day. Excessive consumption may cause mild abdominal pain or diarrhea. Diabetics taking hypoglycemic drugs will need to alter the dosage of their drugs if they consume bitter melon on a regular basis.

[Alicia]

I have understood now.... A very nice person who knows i have diabet problems told me to buy Kerala, that it will be good for me....
So next time, for sure i'll buy it but i'm not sure how to cook it, LOL


Alicia

[Bliss]

A quick recepie is here for bitter gourd fry....

Ingredients:
Bitter gourd - 1 - 2 nos
(finely chopped)
Onion(big) - 1 - 2 nos
(finely chopped)
Red chilly powder - 1 tbsp
Coriander powder - 1 tsp
Jaggery - A little (may be you could prefer about not using this.'cos it is a sweetener and i would not encourage a person to use it when you start to eat bitter gourd for diabetics)
Curry leaves - A few
Mustard seeds - 1 tsp
Oil - 2 tbsp
Salt - As reqd

Preparation mathod:
Heat oil in a frying pan.
Add mustard seeds and when they splutter, add the chopped onions and fry till brown.
Add chilly powder and coriander powder and fry till the raw smell of the spice powders disappears.
Add the chopped bitter gourd and stir for sometime.
Add a little water and allow it to boil.
Add jaggery, curry leaves and salt and keep the pan closed.
Allow the contents to cook and let the water evaporate.
Add oil and fry the contents

Well,anyway it does not ltaste like other vegetables...as the name says...it is BITTER !!
But,very good for health...

Good Luck Alicia !!