Bharwa Karela

Ingredients

• 6 bitter gourds
• 3 onions, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp coriander powder
• 1 tbsp fennel powder
• 1 tsp amchur
• 1 tsp red chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 4 tbsp oil
• Thread to tie

Method

1. Scrape the rough skin, slit lengthways, scoop the seeds out. Rub heavily with salt and turmeric and rest 30 minutes.
2. Squeeze them hard and rinse. That squeeze removes most of the bitterness — skip it and the dish is inedible.
3. Filling: fry the onions till golden, then all the powders and salt. Cook 5 minutes.
4. Stuff each gourd tightly and tie with thread.
5. Wide pan, oil, lay them in one layer. Cover, low heat, turning every 5 minutes for 20 minutes.
6. Uncover and crisp the outsides. Remove the thread before serving.