Turkey Free Vegan Stuffed Karela
Bitter gourd gets a bad reputation, but this stuffed karela recipe is the dish that converts skeptics. Each gourd is salted, rinsed, and gently squeezed to draw out some of that signature bitterness before being packed with a deeply spiced, jammy filling of onion, tomato, ginger, and garlic. Chickpea flour binds everything together and adds a nutty depth, while amchur brings a bright, tangy lift that balances the heat from the chili powder beautifully. The whole thing gets pan-fried low and slow until the skin turns wrinkled and caramelized ā that's when you know the magic has happened. Since every ingredient here is entirely plant-based, there's no need to scrutinize labels or swap anything out; it's naturally free of animal products from start to finish. A squeeze of lemon and a handful of fresh cilantro at the end keep it feeling vibrant and fresh. This is the kind of bold, satisfying weeknight dish that makes you wonder why you ever overlooked bitter gourd in the first place.
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Learn more āIngredients
4 servings
For the karela
- 8 medium karela (bitter gourds), about 4ā5 inches long
- 1 Ā½ tsp salt, divided
- 3 tbsp neutral oil, divided
For the filling
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 medium tomato, finely chopped
- 1 tsp ginger, freshly grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- Ā½ tsp ground cumin
- Ā½ tsp turmeric
- Ā½ tsp red chili powder
- Ā½ tsp amchur (dried mango powder)
- 2 tbsp chickpea flour (besan)
- 1 tsp sugar
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped (optional)
- lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Trim both ends of each karela and use a sharp knife to make a deep lengthwise slit down one side, stopping about 1/2 inch from each end ā do not cut all the way through. Use a small spoon to scrape out and discard the seeds and white pith from inside each gourd.
- 2
Rub 1 tsp of the salt all over the outside and inside of the karela. Place them in a colander set over a bowl and let them sit for 30 minutes. Rinse thoroughly under cold running water, then squeeze gently and pat dry with paper towels.
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