Karela or bitter gourd is a vegetable, which is bitter and mainly consumed because of its health benefits and not because of its taste. It helps in digestion and also help diabetic patients. It is mostly fried or stuffed with minced meat. Curry can also be made out of karela.

I still remember when my mother used to cook karela, I used to be upset because I have to eat that bitter vegetable and I used to say it is like a medicine. But my mother used to say it has health benefits especially for stomach. She used to say if we eat karela, we will not have worms in our stomach or stomach pain. From childhood, I started eating little by little and now I eat karela without any fuss and make my family also to eat. In everybodies house, I think it is a common problem.

My mother used to fry the karela like fish fry so that we will not feel much bitterness. If we eat karela with rice or chapathi (roti), the bitterness of karela can be reduced. Most people soak it in tamarind water or salt and turmeric water to reduce its bitterness. But I feel as if its medicinal value may be reduced. I have never done this, but leave it to you to take the route you want.

If you make curry using karela, it is more bitter than when it is fried. If you like to make curry with bitter gourd, then add little tamarind paste or tamarind water, so that it will be sour and the bitterness will be reduced.

This karela fry is very easy to make and tastes good also, if you like eating karela.