Karalyachi/Karele ki bhaji

Sweet, sour,salty,hot and bitter are the main five tastes but I am sure many amongst us do not  like the bitter taste. I was also firm on the proverb 'toopat taLale aaNi sakharet ghoLale tari karale kaDoo te kaDooch' and so hated this vegetable until I ate the dish prepared by my daughter. Her friend brought this in her tiffin one day. Riddhi made it on the very next day at home. I was hesitant to taste it but as she insisted I was surprised to taste it. It was not at all bitter.Since then the bitter taste was also included in my cuisine.

Bitter gourd veggie

Ingredients
2-3 medium sized bitter gourds/karli/karela
2 tsp salt
1/2 lemon
1 tsp red chili powder

Dry roast
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup grated dry coconut

Tempering
2 tsp oil
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp asafoetida

Method

• Wash the vegetable and cut off the ends. Cut each into half ( lengthwise) and scoop out the seeds.
• Make thin slices and apply salt. Squeeze in the lemon and mix well. Keep aside for 5 minutes.
• Because of salt and lemon it will give away water. Press the vegetable in palms and squeeze out the water. Keep the squeezed vegetable on another plate.
• Heat the oil in kadai. Add tempering ingredients. Add squeezed karali/karela.Fry on medium flame till it becomes crunchy.
• Add red chili powder,dry roasted sesame seeds and dry coconut. Mix well . Add  little salt only if necessary.