Stuffed Karela(Pavakkai)

Bitter Gourd / Karela / Pavakkai is one of my favorite vegetable. Most people are not huge fans of karela because of it's bitter taste. 
But karela has a lot a nutritional benefits.

Bitter Gourd is a very good blood purifier. It is very good for diabetic patients, as it improves the blood tolerance level. It improves eyesight,stimulates digestion and improves immune system.
I use karela regularly in my cooking. I usually make karela sambar, karela pitlai ( a thicker version of sambar), karela sabzi or karela roast. I like karela in any of these forms and luckily,so does my hubby.
But last week i decided i would try something that i had heard of, but never cooked or tasted. 
Stuffed Karela. I decided to make it using my imagination. But it turned out pretty good. 


Ingredients:
Karela / Pavakkai: 5-6 (Medium sized)
Onion: 1 (big) or 2 (medium)
Ginger : 1 inch
Jeera / Cumin: 1 tsp
Turmeric powder : 1/4 tsp
Red Chilli powder : 1/2 tsp ( or according to your taste)
Coriander powder : 1/2 tsp
Cumin powder : 1/2 tsp
Garam masala : 1/4 tsp
Salt : To taste
Oil 


Method:

1. Wash the karelas and slightly peel their skin.
2. Slit the karela vertically, making sure you don't cut the karela in half. Just slit until you can open them like a cup and keep the ends intact.
3.  Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and keep them in a cup.  DO NOT THROW THE SEEDS AWAY.
4. Boil the karelas with water and salt, (The salt removes the bitterness), until they are almost cooked. Make sure they don't cook too much and go mushy. Place the boiled karelas on a paper towel to dry them.
5. Chop the onion and ginger.
6. Heat oil in a pan. Add the cumin seeds, ginger, karela seeds,chopped onion and saute them well.
7. Add turmeric powder, coriander powder, cumin powder, chilli powder and garam masala. Add little water if necessary.
8. After the onion is cooked well, add salt. Remove from heat.
9. Fill the slit karelas with the stuffing and wrap them with a thread, so that the stuffing does not come out.
10. Heat little oil in a pan and place the stuffed karelas in a row. Cook them well on medium heat. Turn them as required. If there is any stuffing left use it as gravy and and it after karelas are cooked well and turn little crispy.
11. Remove from heat.

You can also deep fry the karelas.

Delicious stuffed karela is ready to be served. It can be served with rice or chapathis.

P.S: This recipe is out of my own imagination. So, please let me know how i can improve this recipe.