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    Home » Recipes » Authentic Indian

    Hagalakayi Palya

    Published: March 7, 2016 · Modified: June 26, 2020 by Uma Raghupathi · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 26 Comments

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    Enjoy this Hagalakayi playa with rice. This bitter gourd curry is a vegan, low in carb, and gluten-free recipe.

    A bowl of food on a table, with Cook and Curry this 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

    Is Bitter gourd Healthy?

    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.

    How long does it take to cook Bitter Gourd?

    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.

    Check out my other recipes here

    • Spicy Bitter Gourd Curry
    • Berry Banana Smoothie
    • Ridge Gourd Chutney | Heerekai Chutney
    • Ivy Gourd Fry - Tindora Fry

    If you have time comment below and rate the recipe in the comment box below.  Follow me on social media's Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. 

    A bowl of food on a table, with Cook and Curry

    Hagalakayi Palya / Bitter gourd Curry

    Uma Raghupathi
    Easy and simple hagalakayi palya made with only a few ingredients.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe
    Prep Time:10 mins
    Cook Time:30 mins
    Total Time:40 mins
    Course :Side Dish
    Cuisine :Indian
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 68 kcal

    Equipment

    • Non-Stick Pan
    • Vegetable Chopper

    Ingredients
      

    • 6-8 medium bitter gourd
    • 1 head of garlic - minced
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • Salt
    • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
    • 1 teaspoon black gram
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    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.

    Video

    Notes

    The nutrition values I show here are my best estimates. Please be sure to check your preferred nutrition calculator, if you are relying on accurate calculations in your diet.

    YOUR OWN NOTES

    Click here to add your own private notes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 68kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Iron: 1mg

    Nutritional information is an estimation only.

    Tried this recipe?Mention @simplesumptuouscooking or tag #simplesumptuouscooking!
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    Hagalakayi (bitter gourd) palya is ready! Serve hot with rice accompanied with rasam or sambar.

    « Urad Dal Bonda
    Green Gram Dosa - Hesaru Kalu Dosa »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Donna

      March 10, 2016 at 3:27 am

      Oh yum, I love how simple this dish sounds! I haven't done much cooking with gourds, but I may have to start experimenting 🙂

      Reply
    2. Traditionally Modern Food

      March 09, 2016 at 11:20 pm

      Healthy and tasty.. I should try your version

      Reply
      • Uma Raghupathi

        March 09, 2016 at 11:51 pm

        Thanks Vidhya!

        Reply
    3. Lucie

      March 09, 2016 at 9:46 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Uma Raghupathi

        March 09, 2016 at 10:35 pm

        Thanks Lucie 🙂 Good luck !

        Reply
    4. Gin

      March 09, 2016 at 4:12 pm

      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! 🙂

      Reply
      • Uma Raghupathi

        March 09, 2016 at 5:28 pm

        Yes Gin I think its same veggie call it in different name 🙂

        Reply
    5. Vanessa @ VeganFamilyRecipes

      March 09, 2016 at 2:34 pm

      I love the video you made for this. You can really see how all the ingredients come together! Great recipe 🙂

      Reply
      • Uma Raghupathi

        March 09, 2016 at 5:29 pm

        Thank you Vanessa!

        Reply
    6. pragati

      March 09, 2016 at 12:48 pm

      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 🙂

      Reply
      • Uma Raghupathi

        March 09, 2016 at 1:42 pm

        Ha ha I know. But you will be surprised after tasting this. Then you will prefer this instead of jaggery one 🙂

        Reply
    7. Sophia @veggies dont bite

      March 09, 2016 at 5:46 am

      Never heard of bitter gourd before! Looks like a simple enough recipe!

      Reply
    8. Debra C.

      March 09, 2016 at 1:33 am

      I have never tried bitter gourd, however I'd love to, especially prepared like this - looks so good!

      Reply
      • Uma Raghupathi

        March 09, 2016 at 3:07 am

        Thank you Debra!

        Reply
    9. melmcdonald2

      March 09, 2016 at 1:32 am

      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.

      Reply
    10. Linda @ Veganosity

      March 09, 2016 at 12:28 am

      I've never heard of bitter gourd. The spices and flavors in the recipe make me think that I'd love it.

      Reply
      • Uma Raghupathi

        March 09, 2016 at 3:06 am

        This recipe is very easy. You can find this veggie in Asian Market. Thanks Linda!

        Reply
    11. Jenn S.

      March 08, 2016 at 8:25 pm

      I have never had bitter gourd, but I do love bitter flavors, so I think I would like this! Looks yummy!

      Reply
    12. Kelly Page (@TastingPage)

      March 08, 2016 at 2:49 am

      I think I could handle the bitterness, especially served in a curry like this. Love the healing properties as well!

      Reply
      • Uma Raghupathi

        March 08, 2016 at 4:11 am

        Thank you Kelly! Bitterness also a flavor 🙂

        Reply
    13. Danielle Omar

      March 08, 2016 at 12:21 am

      I love playing with new ingredients!! Thanks for the inspiration to try something new!!

      Reply
    14. Ordinary vegan

      March 07, 2016 at 8:05 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Uma Raghupathi

        March 08, 2016 at 4:08 am

        Thanks for trying this 🙂 Hope you will like it !

        Reply
    15. Strength and Sunshine

      March 07, 2016 at 8:02 pm

      This sounds delicious! It would be perfect with some rice!

      Reply
      • Uma Raghupathi

        March 08, 2016 at 4:07 am

        Thank you! Yes this curry is very well goes with rice 🙂

        Reply
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