Bitter melon (bitter gourd) is one of the most bitter tasting of all vegetables as you can tell by its name.  Adding a few other vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, bell peppers and onions will help with the bitterness of this vegetable.

The bitter melon will look like this when you cut them length wise.

If the seeds are tender, leave them.

But if the seeds are tough you will need to core and remove them with a spoon because the tough seeds will harden even more after cooking.

I like adding lots of onions because it adds sweetness and makes it taste better.

First sauté potatoes in coconut oil for 5 minutes.

 

 

 

 

 

Then add onions

Cook onions for 7-8 minutes.

Add spices and salt, stir to coat well.

Add prepared bitter melons.

Stir them well to coat them with spices properly.

Cover and cook for 20 minutes or until done, stirring every 5 minutes or so.

Bitter Melon Indian Style

Servings: 6-8    Prep time: 30 minutes  Cook time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 Tbsp coconut oil or ghee
• 1 Lb bitter melons, washed and chopped into 1/4 inch pieces. Core them with a spoon if seeds are tough, discard tough seeds. 
• Note: If you want to reduce bitterness of these melons – sprinkle 1 Tbsp of salt over chopped bitter melons, stir to coat them well and leave them for 20-30 minutes. Wash them well and drain in a colander.
• 2 medium sized onions, 1 chopped into small pieces and 1 into bigger pieces, see the picture above (its not necessary to chop them into two different sizes, I like this way because the bigger pieces add sweetness to the dish.)
• 2 medium sized potatoes (or sweet potatoes, carrots, beets or bell pepper or combination), wash them well. Quarter and cut into 1/2 inch pieces. Leave the skin on if using organic potatoes, otherwise peel them before cutting.
• 1 Tbsp cilantro, chopped

Spices:

1 tsp turmeric

2 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp roasted and ground cumin

1 tsp fennel seeds, crushed

1 tsp coconut sugar or maple syrup (optional)

1 tsp salt

Directions

1. Heat coconut oil on medium heat in a thick bottom pan.

2. Add potatoes, sauté for 5 minutes.

3. Add chopped onions and cook for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Add spices and salt, stir them well with onions and potatoes for 1 minute.

5. Add prepared bitter melons, stir to coat them well.

6. Cover and cook for 20 minutes or until done, stirring every 5 minutes or so.

7. Garnish with chopped cilantro.

Enjoy bitter melon over rice, quinoa or millet or with Indian flat bread.

I am really interested to know how you like it when you try this recipe, please share your comments in the comments section below.