Karathaein chirdillaein (Mashed bitter gourd) is another of mashed vegetable prepared by Konkani’s. This is also had as a side dish along with rice. You need ripe bitter gourd (‘Karathaein’ in Konkani means Bitter gourd) for the preparation of the dish. In this type of mashing you need not do seasoning. But tamarind is added to give a tangy taste to the dish. Another speciality of the dish is that you should have to sprinkle a few pieces of roasted papad to the dish before serving.
Ingredients
You need
- 1 medium size ripe bitter gourd (I have used the white variety bitter gourd)
- A small lemon size tamarind
- 1 or 2 green chillies (or as per your spiciness level)
- A pinch of asafoetida
- A small spoon Fresh coconut oil
- Water as required
- Salt to taste
Method
Wash and remove the seeds of the bitter gourd. Cut it into pieces of your convenience. Apply tamarind and salt mixture to the cut pieces. Now transfer the pieces to the separator of a pressure cooker (If you do not have separator use any wide mouth container which will fit inside your pressure cooker). You need not have to add water to the vegetable in the separator. Pressure cook as follows- After one whistle simmer the flame and cook for three minutes. Switch off the flame and remove the bitter gourd from the cooker only upon cooling.
Now add sliced green chillies, asafoetida and fresh coconut oil
and mash thoroughly.
Now roast a pappad (white one) and crush it. Add the crushed pieces on top of the mashed bitter gourd just before serving.
Your Karathaein chirdillaein (Mashed bitter gourd) is ready to be served.
Serve it with rice as a side dish.
