Pavakka Pickle (Bitter Gourd Pickle)

Posted On May 19, 2008

If you like hot and sour this is a great pickle.

Bitter gourds also known as Bitter melons have been used in various Asian traditional medicine systems for a long time.

 

Ingredients:

1. Pavakka – 6 (light colored)
2. Garlic – 3 whole pods
3. Ginger – same quantity as garlic (I weighed it)
4. Green Chilies – 10
5. Curry Leaves – to taste

Seasoning:

1. Chili powder-3 tbsp
2. Turmeric powder – 1tsp
3. Asafetida – 1 tbsp
4. Fenugreek powder  – 1tbsp
5. Mustard seeds – 2tsp
6. Salt – to taste
7. Sugar – 1 to 2 tsp
8. Distilled White Vinegar – start with ¼ cup
9. Oil

 Method:

Fry the ingredients separately until crisp. Discard oil, clean pan and add new oil (I used around 1/5 cup)

Crackle mustard seeds. Put all seasonings into oil making sure not to burn it. Then add the vinegar to the pan. Bring to boil and turn off. Mix with fried ingredients. Taste to see in any seasoning missing

 

Notes:

I used at least 1.5 cups of Vinegar and ½ cup oil with another 3 tablespoons of chili powder. This I added later on since it was not hot or sour (khatta) enough, (heated oil, added chili powder and vinegar and poured on). Try to do this when it’s still hot.