BITTERGOURD PICKLE--VOW

Bittergourd has never been my favorite infact it was only vegetable i hated.When we were small my mom used to make us eat it because its rich in vitamins and iron content.The only way i could eat is when my mom made pickle out of it.This i loved so much that i even forgot that i hated it.It is so simple ,quick and very easy to prepare.

This is my entry to pooja's VoW-Bittergourd



INGREDIENTS

Bittergourd- 1 cup,thinly sliced to 1/2" pieces

red chillies -15 nos

water -1 1/2 cup

tamarind paste- 2 tsp

asafoetida- 1 tsp

mustard and curry leaves for seasoning

salt -1tbsp+a pinch

oil for frying

METHOD

Thinly slice the bittergourd to 1/2" pieces and apply salt over it and let it rest for 5-8 mins.this oozes out water from the veg and reduces the amount of bitterness.Then squeeze out the moisture from it by hand and wipe out with paper towel or cloth.Fry them till dark brown.In the same oil lightly fry the red chillies and keep aside.Boil water with a tbsp of salt.Put the fried chillies in this hot water and let it cool.Then grind it smoothly.Shift it out to a bowl and add the tamarind paste.Heat and let it come to a boil for a second time.Remove from heat and add the fried bittergourd.Then add the tadka of mustard seeds ,asafoetida and curry leaves in the end.
Serve it with rice.