Pavakkai Puli Kozhambu ( Tangy Bitter Gourd Curry) (South Indian Vegetarian Recipes)

Today, I got to taste Pavakkai Puli Kozhambu, a South Indian  vegetarian recipe which was new to me.

Our cook, Lakshmi Amma described this tangy curry when I had it for lunch along with beans poriyal, pepper rasam, and potato roast. I was amazed to see the delicious spread and enjoyed it. I got inspired and I asked her for the recipe. I am sharing the recipe in my blog.

Pavakkai Puli Kozhambu, also known as Bitter Gourd Tamarind Curry, is a tangy and flavorful South Indian vegetarian recipe that is popular in Tamil cuisine. It is a traditional kozhambu (curry) preparation that features bitter gourd as the main ingredient, combined with a tangy tamarind base and a blend of spices.

This awesome South Indian vegetarian curry base is made using tamarind pulp, which provides the signature tanginess to the dish. The tamarind pulp is mixed with water and simmered along with various spices such as turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, and cumin powder. This creates a flavorful and aromatic sauce that forms the foundation of the curry.
 

In addition to the spices, other ingredients like onions, tomatoes, garlic, and curry leaves are often included in the preparation. These ingredients are typically sautéed in oil until they become fragrant and then added to the tamarind-spice mixture. The bitter gourd slices are also added to the curry, allowing them to cook and absorb the flavors. 

To balance the bitterness of the pavakkai, some jaggery  is added to enhance the touch of sweetness. This helps to mellow down the bitterness and create a more harmonious flavor profile. 

Pavakkai Puli Kozhambu is typically South Indian vegetarian recipe is served with steamed rice, along with some papad or a side of vegetable stir-fry. The combination of the tangy tamarind sauce, aromatic spices, and the slight bitterness of the bitter gourd creates a unique and satisfying culinary experience.

                                                       

Yeilds for 4 persons
Ingredients:

 Pavakkai (Bitter Gourd) 1 chopped into small slices 

Tomato 2

Shallots onions a handful peeled and washed 

Tamarind  a small sized ball. Soaked in warm water. 

Curry leaves a sprig 

Oil 2 tbsp (for roasting  and for cooking) 

Salt to taste 

Asafoetida a pinch 

Turmeric 1/2 tsp 

Jaggery a small piece to enhance the mellow of the curry 

Mustard Seeds 1tsp 

Fenugreek seeds a few 

Fresh grated coconut 1 tbsp

For the masala powder:

Coriander Seeds 1 tbsp 

Dry whole red chili  2 

Cumin seeds 1 tbsp 

Pepper 1 tbsp

Method: 

Wash bitter gourd, tomatoes, and peeled shallots,
Chop the bitter gourd into a round shape or slices. Chop the tomatoes finely. Chop the shallots in half.

Heat oil in a pan. Add the coriander seeds, pepper, and dry whole red chilies cumin seeds. Roast until you get a nice aroma. Keep it aside.  Grind it into a fine powder.  

In the same pan, add 1 tbsp oil. Add the mustard seeds and fenugreek seeds. Add asafoetida and curry leaves.  Fry it for a second. Add the bitter gourd, tomatoes, and onion. Fry for about 5 mins till the veggies are a bit cooked.  

Add turmeric powder and salt. Mix well. Add the tamarind pulp and let it boil. Add the ground masala powder and let it reduce to a thick consistency. Add jaggery and stir well. Pavakkai Puli Kozhambu is ready to enjoy with steamed rice and papad or poriyal. Enjoy!!

Nutritional value per serving:

Calories: Around 100-150 kcal

Protein: 2-4g

Fat: 6-10g

Saturated Fat: 1-2g

Carbohydrates: 10-15g

Dietary Fiber: 3-5g

Sugar: 4-7g

Cholesterol: 0mg

Sodium: 500-800mg (may vary based on salt content)

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