Pavakka Thoran - Sauteed bitter gourd with coconut

Do you like bitter gourd?
I do, but my husband doesn’t!
Do you know the health benefits of bitter gourd?
I do, but my husband doesn’t want to know!

Well, bitter gourd is a vegetable loaded with precious nutrients like folic acid, beta-carotene, iron, and calcium, almost double in amount than any other vegetables! And it helps to prevent diabetes, improves eyesight and fights cancer!

He is in enmity with bitter gourd! Each time I pick one he gets annoyed and murmurs like ‘can’t you buy something else?’ And during the early years of marriage he didn’t allow me buy any!

Now things are different and we are responsible parents of two adorable kids and this hesitation can’t go on any more. And I have to find ways to put some into the tummy of my kiddos and hubby!

I tried several recipes like pavakka theeyal, pavakka and mango palu curry and stir-fry…but nothing worked! Then I tried thoran, made of finely shredded bitter gourd and onion, laced with grated coconut, ginger and curry leaves. And I forcefully served two spoonfuls to his plate saying ‘don’t worry, it won’t hurt you.’ Unwontedly he tasted and asked me ‘is this bitter gourd! Not bitter anymore?’ Hurray… It almost worked!!

But still things are not smooth, he still gets unpleasant and raises his eyebrows when I pick some bitter gourd, but now I don’t care!


Ingredients

1. Bitter gourd (very finely shredded) – 1 big
2. Onion (very finely shredded) – 2 nos
3. Freshly grated coconut – 1 cup
4. Ginger (grated) – 2 cm long piece
5. Green chillies – 3 nos
6. Curry leaves – a few
7. Mustard seeds – a few
8. Oil- 2 tbsp
9. Salt – as required

Method

1. Heat oil in a frying pan and splutter mustard seeds.
2. Add shredded onion, curry leaves and ginger and fry for a minute.
3. Add shredded bitter gourd, grated coconut and salt and mix well.
4. Saute occasionally and cook in medium heat till done.