KAARLYACHI AAMBAT GOAD BHAAJI (SWEET AND SOUR BITTER GOURD CURRY VEGETABLE)

Kaarlyachi Aambat Goad Bhaaji is the Marathi name for the Bitter Gourd Sweet And Sour Curry Vegetable. This vegetable makes use of the least number of spices, and extremely nutritious food items like bitter gourd, coconut, tamarind and jaggery. That’s it! Inspite of this, it tastes absolutely delicious.

Did you know, that Bitter Gourd / Kaarla / Karela is a fruit and not a vegetable? It contains important nutrients like iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, etc. It is an excellent source of dietary fibre and contains twice the calcium of spinach, beta carotene of broccoli and the potassium of a banana! You can very well imagine the number health benefits associated with the consumption of bitter gourds ranging from maintaining the blood sugar levels to boosting the immune system, and still many more!

Basically this Kaarlyachi Aambat Goad Bhaaji is a unique and an absolutely nutritious and delicious dish with the least number of ingredients used and a simple cooking method! A recipe made by my Paternal Aunt and passed on to my mom, and eventually to me!

If you like such vegetables, do take a look at the following recipes too…….

1) Vataane Ananasaa Shaak

2) Aambade Udid Methi

3) Kaale Vaataanyachi Usal

4) Laal Chawli Chi Paatal Bhaaji

Here goes the recipe for Kaarlyachi Aambat Goad Bhaaji……..

INGREDIENTS :

• 500 gm Bitter Gourds (About 4-5 medium sized gourds)
• 2 medium Onions
• 1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
• 1 tsp Bedgi Red Chilli Powder
• 1 tsp Kashmiri Red Chilli Powder
• 4 tsp Jaggery…… to be adjusted as per taste
• 1 tsp Tamarind
• Salt to taste
• 2 tbs Oil for Sauteing the Bitter Gourd

To Be Roasted :

• 2 tsp Oil
• 1 Onion….. Sliced
• 1 cup Fresh Grated Coconut

For The Tempering :

• 2 tbs Oil
• 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
• 1/4 tsp Asafoetida

METHOD :

1. To begin making the Kaarlyaachi Aambat Goad Bhaaji, first wash the bitter gourds and scrape away the outer rough part on the peel.
2. Deseed the bitter gourds and cut into round slices.
3. Rub all the bitter gourd roundels with 1/2 tsp salt and set aside for about 5 hours or overnight. This will lead the bitter gourd to release all the bitter water. Wash these bitter gourd slices in clean water and set aside to drain.
4. In the meantime, heat a kadhai and add the oil for roasting. When the oil heats up, add the sliced onions and saute.
5. When the onions turn translucent add the grated fresh coconut and saute on low flame till it changes a slight colour. Switch off the flame and set aside to cool.
6. Grind this roasted mixture with the tamarind, in a mixer grinder using sufficient water to get a smooth paste.
7. Heat a pan and add oil to it for sauteing the bitter gourd roundels.
8. Saute on low to medium heat stirring constantly to prevent the roundels from burning.
9. When the bitter gourd roundels turn dark in colour and nice and crispy, switch off the heat and set aside.
10. Now for the tempering, heat a saucepan and add the oil to it.
11. Add to it the mustard seeds. As soon as they splutter, add the asafoetida and mix well.
12. Now add the chopped onions and saute till translucent. Add the turmeric and red chilli powders too. Mix well.
13. Add to this the crisp sauteed bitter gourd roundels, jaggery, the ground coconut paste and salt to taste.
14. Add some water as required to get a thick gravy.
15. Bring to a boil and then simmer on low heat for few minutes and switch off the flame.
16. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve this highly nutritious and absolutely lip smackingly delicious Kaarlyachi Aambat Goad Bhaaji with hot phulkas or Ghaavan or just with some Bhaakari.
17. If desired serve with some Moong Daal Fry and hot steamed rice. Do serve some Gaajar Flower Taaja Loncha by the side too!
18. Do serve some Karwar Style Madgane With Rajgira And Oats or some Gaajar Halwaa as a dessert after this hearty meal!