Karathe Nonche (Bitter Gourd Pickle) Konkani Recipe.

Karathe Nonche is a Konkani style instant Bitter gourd Pickle and goes well as a delicious side dish with Dosa, Idli,Thayir Sadam, Rice etc. The following ingredients are needed to prepare Karathe Nonche.

Ingredients:-

White Bitter gourd. -1medium size
 Salt.                         -to taste

For grinding the Chilly paste:-
Red chillies.     - 8
Methi seeds.     -1/4 tsp
Hing powder.    -1/2tsp
Tamarind.          -a Gooseberry size.

For Seasoning:-

Coconut oil.     -1tsp
Mustard seeds. -1tsp
Curry leaves.    -1spring

Instructions:-

1. Wash the Bitter gourd and pat dry with a clean cloth.Cut the bitter gourd lengthwise and remove the seeds.Then chop into thin lengthy pieces.

2. Apply little Salt on the Bitter gourd pieces and keep aside for 1/2 an hour. Squeeze the Bitter gourd pieces to remove the water completely Deep fry the Bitter gourd pieced till crisp and keep aside.

3. Soak Tamarind in 2tbsp boiled and cooled water and keep aside.

4. Heat little oil in a pan and roast Red chillies till crispy and remove from oil.

5. In the same pan add Methi seeds and fry well and remove from oil and keep aside.

6. Grind both the roasted ingredients together along with required Salt, soaked Tamarind, Hing Powder and little boiled and cooled water to a fine Chilly paste.

Method:-

1. Transfer the ground chilly paste in a bowl and make it dilute, adding little boiled and cooled water and keep aside.

2. Add the fried crispy Bitter gourd pieces into the bowl and mix well with the chilly paste.

3. Heat Coconut oil for seasoning and splutter Mustatd seeds and add Curry leaves and fry well in oil.

4. Switch off the flame and pour the above seasoning into the Chilly paste in the bowl.

5. A tasty, lip smacking and mouth watering instant Karathe Nonche / Bitter gourd Pickle is ready to serve with Dosa, Idli, Rice etc.

6. Store the pickle in refrigerator and lasts for few more days.