Bitter gourd fry(Sri Lankan karawila sambol)
This bitter gourd(bitter melon)recipe is one of a kind unique vegetable salad you have to try.
- Prep time
- 45 min
- Cook time
- 30 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 2 medium-sized green bitter gourds (approximately 250-300g)
- Water as needed
- 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric
- oil to fry the bitter gourd slices(about 1 and 1/2 cup)
- 1 medium-sized onion sliced finely(large if you prefer more onions)
- 1 medium-sized tomato sliced
- 1-2 Green chilli sliced fine into thin rings
- 1/2 teaspoon of red chilli flakes
- 1 lime
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- 1
Assemble all the ingredients needed to make the fried sambol.
- 2
Slice the bitter gourds (250g -300g) into circles of about 5cm in thickness.
- 3
Gently insert your thumb through the center of the rings to remove the seeds.
- 4
Immerse them in a bowl filled with water and salt(1 teaspoon)and let it rest for 30-45 minutes.
- 5
While the slices soak, have all the other ingredients needed for the salad ready by slicing the onions (1 medium-sized), tomatoes (1 medium-sized) and green chilli (1-2).
- 6
30-45 minutes later, drain the water from the bitter melon slices, gently squeeze and remove out any excess water place them in a bowl.
- 7
Mix the bitter gourd slices with salt(1/4 tsp, just enough to season)and turmeric(a pinch).
- 8
Have a plate or platter with kitchen paper towels ready to hold the fried bitter melon slices.
- 9
Pour the oil into a deep frying pan and heat the oil.
- 10
It’s important to maintain a level of heat that will fry the bitter gourd evenly and not too quickly. Please make sure the rings are well drained prior to frying and to avoid oil splatters.
- 11
Fry the slices until the inner ring of the bitter gourd turns golden brown and the outer ridged part of the slices still have a very slight tinge of green(probably between 7-10 minutes).
- 12
As they fry move them about with a flat frying spoon and avoid frying the slice to a dark brown as this will, in turn, make them bitter again.
- 13
Transfer the fried slice to the paper towels to remove any excess oil.
- 14
Add all the ingredients into large bowl or platter, include the chilli flakes, combine and then season with salt and lime.
- 15
Make sure to taste and add more lime juice(gradually) to balance the taste of the salad.