Sesame Stuffed Bitter Gourd

Kakarakaya Nuvvu Pindi Gutti Kura. Sesame seeds are coarsely ground with spices and stuffed inside the bitter gourds once toasted. The stuffed bitter gourds is then cooked on low heat till soft inside and crisp outside. Serve sesame stuffed bitter gourd with plain steamed rice. Makes: 3 Sesame Stuffed Bitter Gourds. Ingredients: Bitter Gourd 3 Small Sesame Seeds 3 Tbsps Whole Red Chiles 1 Red Chili Powder 1/4 tsp Cumin Seeds 1/4 tsp Salt to taste Oil 1 Tbsp + 1/4 tsp Method of preparation: Lightly scrape, wash and make a vertical slit in the stomach of bitter gourd keeping its ends intact. Remove and discard seeds to hollow the bitter gourds. Grind sesame seeds, red chile, red chili powder, cumin seeds and salt into coarse powder. Heat quarter tsp of oil in a pan, add the ground spicy sesame powder. Fry for a minute on low flame to toast the powder a bit and remove from heat. Stuff each bitter gourd with little more than a tbsp of prepared sesame stuffing. Heat a tbsp of oil in a nonstick pan on medium low heat, slowly place the stuffed bitter gourds in the pan. Cook covered on low flame for bitter gourd to soften and starts to turn golden brown. Uncover, make sure to carefully turn the bitter gourd to uncooked side and fry for a minute or two. Serve sesame stuffed bitter gourd with plain steamed rice. Discard the ends of the bitter gourd while eating. Notes: Choose small thin bitter gourds which aid in proper stuffing and frying. Source: Talimpu