Karethaa kuDko (kuDkaw) (Bittermelon or Karela Pickle)

I am dedicating my first post to my dear Amma (mom) and Bappama (paternal grandmother).

Karela Pickle (Bappama and Amma called it "Karethaa kuDkaw") It is a Karkala speciality that my mom learnt from bappama and I got the recipe from my mom. Many different versions have been floating around, but this is the only one that I am used to eating since I was little. The reason for the name is the way each piece “KuDkaw”is cut. In my opinion, this dish tastes good only with the Indian Karela, as the other variety cooks differently and has a different texture, and of course I like the Indian one because it is more bitter. What’s a bitter melon that’s not bitter? That’s also what adds to this dish, a special bitter flavor, along with the sour, sweet and spicy flavors.

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Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. karela - cut into big thick rounds (kuDke) and slit. (I use the ones from the Indian store because the big Chinese ones are not as bitter) Apply salt and keep aside.

• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar (You can add less, or more if you want it sweeter or if the karela is very bitter)

• Tamarind pulp 3-4 tbsps (I use the Laxmi brand not Tamcon, as it is a concentrate, please use about a teaspoon and a half if you do)

• 1 raw mango (optional) cut into biggish pieces (This is also cooked along with the Karela)

• salt

Ingredients for Masala:

• 1/2 cup mustard seeds

• 2 tablespoon coriander seeds

• 1 teaspoon methi seeds

• 2 - 3 teaspoon hing

• 1/4 teaspoon haldi

• 20 - 25 red chillies (I used about 30 out of which 20 were beDgi)

Steps:

• Roast and powder all ingredients for masala.

• Add brown sugar, tamarind, karela (Squeeze the water out), salt, and cover and cook on medium low heat. DO NOT ADD EXTRA WATER.

• After it has cooked, remove the lid and cook on high till water is almost evaporated.

• Add the powdered masala and mix well.

• Season mustard, curry leaves in 3 - 4 tbsps. of oil.

Tastes better 2 - 3 days later. Does not need refrigeration for a couple of days. Yumm!!

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