Enjoy this Hagalakayi playa with rice. This bitter gourd curry is a vegan, low in carb, and gluten-free recipe.
Bitter gourd is one of the popular vegetables in Asian cuisine. The natural taste of this vegetable is bitter so it takes a little bit of getting used to. But once you acquire the taste, it could become one of your favorites.
I am picky when I shop for bitter gourds. I try and pick the fleshy and long ones because once they are gutted, long and thick pieces are easy to work with. If you are ever looking for this wonderful vegetable, be sure to pick the green ones. Ripened pieces are not suitable for cooking.
There are a lot of dishes that can be made with bitter gourd. For now, I will start with this simple curry. It's a minimalist version for a curry and you will be surprised how easy it is! In the Indian state of Karnataka, we call this vegetable "Hagalakayi".
" Palya" is nothing but a dry version of curry! I usually cook this dish with other main dishes like Sambar, Saaru, Avil, Gasi.
Enjoy this Hagalakayi playa with rice. This bitter gourd playa is a vegan, low in carb, and gluten-free recipe.
Recipe FAQs
Bitter gourd makes up for the bitterness with its medicinal benefits. In traditional Indian medicine, it's used to relieve diabetes, stomach complaints, and also cough.
If you make into small pieces of bitter gourd while cooking, it takes 10 - 15 mins to cook. For extra crispy ness, you have to cook more.
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📖 Recipe
Hagalakayi Palya / Bitter gourd Curry
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6-8 medium bitter gourd
- 1 head of garlic - minced
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon black gram
Instructions
- Wash the bitter gourd , remove the seeds and dice then into small pieces or use the chopper.
- Places vessel over medium heat and drizzle the olive oil.
- After few seconds, add chopped bitter gourd and fry until it turns crispy and golden.
- Add salt.
- In a smaller pan fry mustard seeds, black gram, with a teaspoon of oil.
- When it starts to sputter, add chopped garlic and fry until it turns golden.
- Mix the bitter gourd fry and garlic seasoning together.
Process Shot
Check above for step-by-step pictures (most of my recipes include pictures)
Video
Notes
YOUR OWN NOTES
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
Hagalakayi (bitter gourd) palya is ready! Serve hot with rice accompanied with rasam or sambar.
Donna
Oh yum, I love how simple this dish sounds! I haven't done much cooking with gourds, but I may have to start experimenting 🙂
Traditionally Modern Food
Healthy and tasty.. I should try your version
Uma Raghupathi
Thanks Vidhya!
Lucie
Wow, now I'm intrigued. The bitter part about this veggie sounds a little scary but I love to experiment 🙂 I need to look around for it so I can try this.
Uma Raghupathi
Thanks Lucie 🙂 Good luck !
Gin
I wonder if bitter gourd is anything like bitter melon, which I once had in a Chinese restaurant. It sure was a surprise to my palate! 🙂
Uma Raghupathi
Yes Gin I think its same veggie call it in different name 🙂
Vanessa @ VeganFamilyRecipes
I love the video you made for this. You can really see how all the ingredients come together! Great recipe 🙂
Uma Raghupathi
Thank you Vanessa!
pragati
I am still on the fence when it comes to eating the bitter gourd. I like the version we make with plenty of jaggery and onion, so that the bitterness goes out as much as possible. But hey, it is good for health, so bring it on 🙂
Uma Raghupathi
Ha ha I know. But you will be surprised after tasting this. Then you will prefer this instead of jaggery one 🙂
Sophia @veggies dont bite
Never heard of bitter gourd before! Looks like a simple enough recipe!
Debra C.
I have never tried bitter gourd, however I'd love to, especially prepared like this - looks so good!
Uma Raghupathi
Thank you Debra!
melmcdonald2
How easy is that? I have never tried bitter gourd either. In fact I have never seen it for sale. I will ask at my greengrocer next tim I am there.
Linda @ Veganosity
I've never heard of bitter gourd. The spices and flavors in the recipe make me think that I'd love it.
Uma Raghupathi
This recipe is very easy. You can find this veggie in Asian Market. Thanks Linda!
Jenn S.
I have never had bitter gourd, but I do love bitter flavors, so I think I would like this! Looks yummy!
Kelly Page (@TastingPage)
I think I could handle the bitterness, especially served in a curry like this. Love the healing properties as well!
Uma Raghupathi
Thank you Kelly! Bitterness also a flavor 🙂
Danielle Omar
I love playing with new ingredients!! Thanks for the inspiration to try something new!!
Ordinary vegan
I have never eaten gourd before but this recipe looks lovely. I'm going to try it. Thanks for opening up my eyes to new ingredients Uma!
Uma Raghupathi
Thanks for trying this 🙂 Hope you will like it !
Strength and Sunshine
This sounds delicious! It would be perfect with some rice!
Uma Raghupathi
Thank you! Yes this curry is very well goes with rice 🙂