Pavakkai Thokku | Bitter Gourd Thokku
Pavakkai Thokku is spicy, tangy south Indian dish made with bitter gourd.
Servings 4
Calories 56kcal
Ingredients
- 150 Grams Pavakai/ bitter gourd
- 1/2 cup Shallots
- 1 Tomato
- Tamarind – a lemon sized
- 1/4 tsp Turmeric Powder
- 2 tsp Red chilli powder
- 2 tsp Coriander powder
- 1 tbsp Jaggery
- Salt – as required
For tempering:
- 1 tsp Mustard seeds
- 1/2 tsp Fenugreek seeds
- Curry leaves – few
- 3 tbsp Sesame oil/ Gingelly oil
- Hing – a pinch
Instructions
Preparation for pavakkai thokku
- Cut the bitter gourd into slices or into halves if using baby pavakkai.
- Soak the tamarind in ½ cup of water and extract the juice.
How to make pavakkai thokku
- In a pressure cooker, add pavakkai, shallots, tomato, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, salt and 1 tsp of oil. Add enough water to immerse.
- Pressure cook for 2 whistles. Let the pressure release naturally.
- In a pan, add sesame oil. This gives a wonderful taste to the Masala.
- Add mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds. The oil will start to foam.
- Now add curry leaves and hing.
- Add cooked mixture along with the water.
- Now add tamarind juice and Jaggery. (Taste and add tamarind water accordingly)
- Let it simmer for 15 mins or till it forms a thokku consistency
- Serve hot with steamed rice.
Notes
- To remove bitterness from pavakkai, cut it into pieces and remove the seeds. Now sprinkle salt and mix well. Keep this aside for 30 mins. Squeeze out the water content which is out now. Wash it well and use for cooking. This reduces the bitterness to an extent.
- Alternatively, you can soak pavakkai in buttermilk for 30 mins also.