Saunfia Karele are bitter gourds made in a typical Punjabi style where these gourds have a unique flavor of fennel or saunf .
Karele or bitter gourds make an excellent side dish and taste absolutely delicious . I know there are many people who just cannot eat this humble , delicious and nutritious veggie due it’s bitter characteristic , but trust me if you marinade these well you will simply love them . The bitter taste will be almost gone . To remove this bitterness , simply rub in some salt , yogurt and a tsp of flour . After an hour or so wash them well to prepare in the method you like .
The Saunfia Karele have a delicious flavor from fennel . A little onion and some tomatoes add to it’s softness and give body to the side dish . I do not discard the seeds of this gourd , as I quite like them , but there are people who just cannot eat these seeds . So , one can discard them either before or after frying . The spices used are basic everyday spices and this is actually a no frill dish but yet exotic with saunf / fennel seeds . It pairs beautifully with Hari Moong ki Dal or Tri Daali Dal or for that matter any dal of your choice along with some flatbread .
I have been posting all Punjabi Dishes from my drafts this week . With a complete lock down and quarantine mode we postponed our April Mega Marathon and decided to go easy . Just hoping and praying that God gives us strength to face the difficult time that we all are going through.
Saunfia Karele
Ingredients
250 gms bitter gourds
2 tbsp oil
1 tbsp fennel seeds
2-3 onions
1/2 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp red chilly powder
1 tsp coriander powder
1/2 tsp garam masala
1 tomato
Salt to taste
Method
Peel the bitter gourds , cut into slices.
Sprinkle salt , 2 tbsp curd , 1 tbsp wheat flour .
Mix well and keep aside for an hour .
Wash, squeeze and deep fry till light golden .
Heat oil in a pan .
Add fennel seeds and onion slices . Sauté till translucent .
Add bitter gourd slices, chopped tomatoes , red chilly powder , coriander powder , garam masala and salt to taste .
Cover and cook till gourds are soft .
Serve with roti .
For more Bitter Gourd Recipes check here –
Aaloo je Masale wara Karela ( potato stuffed gourds )
Saunfia Karela
Ingredients
- 250 gms bitter gourds
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tbsp fennel seeds
- 2-3 onions
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp red chilly powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1/2 tsp garam masala
- 1 tomato
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Peel the bitter gourds , cut into slices.
- Sprinkle salt , 2 tbsp curd , 1 tbsp wheat flour .
- Mix well and keep aside for an hour .
- Wash, squeeze and deep fry till light golden .
- Heat oil in a pan .
- Add fennel seeds and onion slices . Sauté till translucent .
- Add bitter gourd slices, chopped tomatoes , red chilly powder , coriander powder , garam masala and salt to taste .
- Cover and cook till gourds are soft .
- Serve with roti .
Notes
I love karela and this dish is making me miss it all the more. Hopefully when all this is over I can buy some karela and make this recipe. Looks so beautiful!
My husband and my daughter both love bitter gourds and I prepare the curry sans north Indian touch. Fennel seeds never come to my mind since it is not used in south Indian cooking. Will remember this recipe next time I get karela. Thanks for that tip to cut down the bitterness.
I love adding saunf, methi in my karela, but have never tried adding tomato. I will try your version as I love this humble veggie.
Delicious looking karela, i make the same way, but not with saunf. Next time, will try this way, i love simple subzi’s like these, easy to make and great on taste.
Wow this is my kind of Karela sabzi. This is exactly how I make too, except adding fennel seeds. Will try next time.
Oh I seem to be the odd person out. I have never liked karela as it was never made at mom’s place. But I am sure my friends would love it.
Wow.. I love bitter gourd and this looka so delicious and tempting. Would love to try it sometime