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Home » Pickles

Published: Aug 20, 2020 · Modified: Oct 5, 2020 by Sandhya Ramakrishnan · This post may contain affiliate links

Bitter gourd Pickle | Pavakkai Urukkai | Karela Achaar

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Pickles are a great way to extend the summer harvested vegetables and this Bitter gourd pickle also known as Pavakkai Urukkai is no different. A wonderful and tangy / spicy pickle made with freshly harvested bitter melon is a great side to serve with rice or Idli / dosai.

Pavakkai urugai in bowl and scooped out in a wooden spoon.

Summer is a very busy time for us. The vegetables are being harvested at full force and I am constantly chopping, preserving and cooking them. Lot of recipes are planned and made based on what we harvest from our garden.

One such recipe that I make often during the summer months is this Bitter gourd pickle or Pavakkai Urukkai. It is a great way for using the summer produce for an extended period as this pickle stores well in the refrigerator for couple of weeks.

The usual recipe that I make with the bitter gourd is pavakkai Pitlai and pavakkai curry. One of the popular pickle brand carry biter gourd pickle and that is how I got the idea to make it for the first time.

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Bitter gourd pickle in white bowl with oil dripping from side

Ingredients needed

Ingredients shot for bitter gourd pickle

Bitter Gourd or Bitter Melon - We need tender and fresh bitter gourd to make the pickle. You can use either the Chines variety or the Indian variety. Just be aware that the the Chinese variety of bitter gourd is a little less bitter than the Indian Pavakkai or the bitter melon.

Spices - We need mustard seeds, turmeric powder, red chili powder, asafetida and Roasted Fenugreek powder.

How to make Fenugreek powder – Dry roast the fenugreek seeds and once cooled grind it into a smooth powder. Store in an airtight container and use as needed.

Tamarind - We can either use tamarind paste or thick tamarind extract from tamarind dissolved in hot water.

Oil - Typically to make pickle, South Indians use Gingelly oil also known as sesame oil. That is what I have used in the recipe. You can use vegetable oil or any other cooking oil as well.

Salt and Brown sugar / jaggery are the last two ingredients we will need. Brown sugar is an essential component as it helps counteract the bitterness to some extent.

Step by step process

Soaking the bitter gourd in salt and turmeric powder

Prep the Bitter gourd / Pavakkai -

1 . Cut the bitter gourd vertically and remove all the seeds from the center. Use a spoon to scrape the flesh and the seeds. Now chop the bitter gourd finely and wash it well.

2. To the chopped bitter gourd add about ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder and 1 teaspoon of salt and mix well. Keep it aside for about 30 mins.

After 30 mins, you will notice that the bitter gourd has let out lot of water. Squeeze the water out of the melon.

Process shot to make bitter gourd pickle

In another pan, heat the oil. Season with mustard seeds (1), asafetida and ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder (2). Also add the red chili powder (3).

Now add the chopped bitter gourd / pavakkai and saute until the vegetable softens a bit (4).

Add the tamarind extract, brown sugar and salt (5 & 6). Let it come to a boil and let the pavakkai cook entirely. Also the bitter gourd pickle will start to thicken and come together.

Add the fenugreek powder at this stage and take it off the flame. Do not cook too long after the fenugreek powder is added, since it will become bitter.

Let it cool down and then store in an airtight container.

Enjoy the Pavakkai Urukkai with curd rice, idli, dosa or roti!

Pavakkai Urukkai in white bowl with pickle scooped out in wooden spoon

Expert Tips and FAQ's

  • Sprinkle the bittergourd with turmeric powder and salt and squeeze out the liquid to remove some of its bitterness.
  • Cooking it in tamarind water also helps in balancing the bitterness.
  • Do not skip the brown sugar / jaggery. One more factor to balance the bitterness of the vegetable.
  • Like any pickle, store the pickle in an air tight and clean bottle. Always use fresh, moisture free spoon to remove the pickle from the jar. This helps in extending the shelf life of the pickle.

Other Recipes to make with Bitter gourd

Pavakkai Pitlai / Bitter gourd Stew - Pavakkai Pitlai is a delicious sambhar from South Indian region made exclusively with Bitter gourd. I have added chick peas for added texture and flavor. This is a wonderful Vegan stew / kootu made with bitter gourd and is served with rice.

Bitter Gourd Chips in Air Fryer - One of our newest and most liked recipe with bitter gourd is this chips. This Air fryer bitter gourd chips will turn you into a Bitter gourd lover and you will keep coming back for more.

Pavakkai Podi / Spiced Bitter Gourd Powder - One other great recipe to extend the life and use of summer harvested fresh bitter melons / pavakkai. This podi tastes amazing with steaming hot rice and a dollop of ghee.

 If you made this recipe and liked it, give a star rating on the recipe card or let me know in the comments below.
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Bitter gourd pickle in a white bowl with oil dripping on the side

Pavakkai Urukkai

Pickles are a great way to extend the summer harvested vegetables and this Bitter gourd pickle also known as Pavakkai Urukkai is no different. A wonderful and tangy / spicy pickle made with freshly harvested bitter melon is a great side to serve with rice or Idli / dosai.
5 from 9 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: pickles, spices and condiments
Cuisine: Indian, South Indian
Diet: Vegan
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 56kcal
Author: Sandhya Ramakrishnan

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Pavakkai / bitter Gourd / bitter melon chopped
  • 4 tablespoon Oil I use gigelly oil
  • 1 teaspoon Tamarind paste or thick tamarind extract ½ cup
  • 2 tablespoon Jaggery or brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon Mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
  • 2 teaspoon Red chili powder this was medium spicy for us, adjust based on your spice preference
  • ¼ teaspoon Asafetida
  • ½ teaspoon Roasted fenugreek powder
  • to taste Salt

Instructions

  • Cut the bitter gourd vertically and remove all the seeds from the center. Use a spoon to scrape the flesh and the seeds. Now chop the bitter gourd finely and wash it well.
  • To the chopped bitter gourd add about ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder and 1 teaspoon of salt and mix well. Keep it aside for about 30 mins.
  • After 30 mins, you will notice that the bitter gourd has let out lot of water. Squeeze the water out of the melon.
  • In another pan, heat the oil. Season with mustard seeds, asafetida and ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder. Also add the red chili powder.
  • Now add the chopped bitter gourd / pavakkai and saute until the vegetable softens a bit.
  • Add the tamarind extract, brown sugar and salt. Let it come to a boil and let the pavakkai cook entirely. Also the bitter gourd pickle will start to thicken and come together.
  • Add the fenugreek powder at this stage and take it off the flame. Do not cook too long after the fenugreek powder is added, since it will become bitter.
  • Let it cool down and then store in an airtight container.
  • Enjoy the Pavakkai Urukkai with curd rice, idli, dosa or roti!

Notes

Expert tips and FAQ's
  • Sprinkle the bittergourd with turmeric powder and salt and squeeze out the liquid to remove some of its bitterness.
  • Cooking it in tamarind water also helps in balancing the bitterness.
  • Do not skip the brown sugar / jaggery. One more factor to balance the bitterness of the vegetable.
  • Like any pickle, store the pickle in an air tight and clean bottle. Always use fresh, moisture free spoon to remove the pickle from the jar. This helps in extending the shelf life of the pickle.

Nutrition

Calories: 56kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 63mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 206IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @Sandhya.Ramakrishnan or tag #MyCookingJourney!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jagruti's Cooking Odyssey says

    September 12, 2020 at 3:21 am

    Karela pickle, not seen or heard before, but looking at yours I actually want to enjoy with paratha!

    Reply
  2. amrita says

    September 08, 2020 at 3:47 am

    5 stars
    We love bittergourd however never tried bittergourd pickle.. I must say this is a lovely way to preserve home grown bittergourd

    Reply
  3. Priya Srinivasan says

    September 08, 2020 at 1:38 am

    5 stars
    Wow sandhya pavakkai pickle looks very tempting! Love the flavors here a lovely marriage of bitter, sweet, tangy and spice! I m definitely trying this

    Reply
  4. Padma Veeranki says

    September 04, 2020 at 2:55 pm

    5 stars
    I am literally drooling reading the title...Just had dinner but now I feel like having suda suda sadam with some pickle. We love bitter gourd in our home. I too make it but my pickle looks different though the ingredients are almost kind of the same. Would love to try your version some time soon.

    Reply
  5. Bless my food by Payal says

    September 02, 2020 at 1:24 pm

    5 stars
    Never heard of bitter gourd pickle. Being bitter, it is usually less loved. but tamarind and jaggery seems to create a wonderful balance. Awesome post.

    Reply
  6. Mayuri Patel says

    September 02, 2020 at 12:09 pm

    5 stars
    I've not tried making bitter gourd pickle and neither have I tasted it. However, what a wonderful way to use up your summer harvest and enjoy bitter gourd throughout the year. I'm sure my hubby would love it as he is a big bitter gourd fan.

    Reply
  7. Pavani says

    August 30, 2020 at 6:37 pm

    5 stars
    I am literally drooling thinking about this flavorful bitter gourd pickle. We love bitter gourd in our home, but I've made a pickle with it. Would love to try it some time soon.

    Reply
  8. Seema Sriram says

    August 29, 2020 at 3:36 am

    5 stars
    I was looking for a recipe for pavakkai pickle and there it is. I am sure to test it when my vine is soon blessed with a few of them.

    Reply
  9. Lata Lala says

    August 28, 2020 at 1:44 pm

    5 stars
    A very unusual recipe to make pickle from karela sounds good. I have never heard or tasted this but definitely worth a try Sandhya.

    Reply
  10. Archana Potdar says

    October 18, 2013 at 5:09 pm

    I love bitter gourd so this is bookmarked.

    Reply
  11. Preeti Garg says

    October 01, 2013 at 6:34 pm

    Love the recipe... very new.

    Reply
  12. Harini-Jaya R says

    September 23, 2013 at 7:40 pm

    My husband will like it for sure!

    Reply
  13. Sandhya Karandikar says

    September 23, 2013 at 3:57 am

    Thank you for the recipe. I love Karela and always buy small bottles of it. Now I can make it myself.

    Reply
  14. Gayathri Kumar says

    September 21, 2013 at 4:44 am

    Looks like a tongue tickling pickle...

    Reply
  15. Pavani N says

    September 21, 2013 at 2:47 am

    Such a yummy pickle.. Can imagine how good it must have tasted.

    Reply
  16. Nisha says

    September 21, 2013 at 1:38 am

    Bookmarked , very nice recipe

    Reply
  17. Srivalli says

    September 20, 2013 at 4:21 pm

    Very nice one Sandhya..though I am not sure if I would taste it..LOL..I can make this for my folks..

    Reply
  18. Chef Mireille says

    September 20, 2013 at 2:05 pm

    karela goes in the same bucket as eggplant in my world but your step by step photos are great for anyone who wants to try this and my Mom would love it!

    Reply
  19. Padmajha PJ says

    September 20, 2013 at 11:22 am

    The bittergourds so look so cute 🙂 .And this must be a great side dish with curd rice..

    Reply
  20. Swathi Iyer says

    September 20, 2013 at 12:11 am

    Pavakkai achar looks delicious.

    Reply
  21. Manjula Bharath says

    September 19, 2013 at 2:06 pm

    wow very very delicious looking bitter gourd pickle 🙂 tempting me !! 🙂

    Reply
  22. Priya Suresh says

    September 19, 2013 at 6:39 pm

    Seriously my mouth is just watering here, surely am gonna make some soon..

    Reply
  23. manya says

    September 19, 2013 at 1:30 pm

    this sounds amazing and very easy 2, am surely trying this out!

    Reply
  24. Rajani S says

    September 19, 2013 at 5:18 pm

    Nice pickle and karela pickle is new for me as well!

    Reply
  25. Nivedhanams Sowmya says

    September 19, 2013 at 11:19 am

    bookmarked!!! looks very very delicious!!!

    Sowmya

    Reply
  26. Arjunan Akilandeswari says

    September 19, 2013 at 4:19 pm

    Wow that new to me and Temtping so much...

    Reply
  27. divya says

    September 19, 2013 at 3:47 pm

    Excellent and mouthwatering pickle.... Pics look delicious.

    Reply
  28. Sapana Behl says

    September 19, 2013 at 11:16 am

    Pickle with bitter ours , I have never seen or heard . It must be yummy and a must try as I love bitter gourd!

    Reply

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I am Sandhya Ramakrishnan, author, recipe developer and photographer in this journey! 'My Cooking Journey' is all about family friendly Vegetarian and Vegan recipes from around the World with focus on Indian cuisine.

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