Bitter Gourd Vinthalu (Paavakka Vinthalu) Recipe

Paavakka Vinthalu (also known as Bitter Gourd Vinthalu) – A Traditional Kerala Christian Dish

Paavakka Vinthalu, or Bitter Gourd Vinthalu, is a pure-vegetarian curry that can be served with rice. It is a tangy, spicy Kerala-style vegetarian curry featuring bitter gourd, cooked with plenty of garlic, ginger, chilli powder, and vinegar, apart from some basic spices. Inspired by the classic Vinthalu (or Vindaloo/Vinagiri) style from Kerala’s Christian/Anglo-Indian cuisine, this dish traditionally uses meat like pork or fish, slow-cooked with vinegar for a sharp, tangy flavour. This dish is also prepared using vegetarian ingredients, such as bitter gourd. 

Ingredients for Bitter Gourd Vinthalu (Paavakka Vinthalu):

1. Bittergourd – ¼ kg
2. Garlic chopped – 2 big spoons
   Ginger chopped – 2 big spoons
   Chilli powder – 2 big spoons
   Cumin seeds – 2 small spoons
   Mustard – 1 small spoon
   Fenugreek – 1 small spoon
3. Oil – ½ cup
4. Onions chopped fine – 1 cup
5. Tomato chopped fine – 1/2 cup
6. Vinegar – 2 big spoons
   Sugar – 1 small spoon

How to prepare Bitter Gourd Vinthalu (Paavakka Vinthalu)?

1. Clean the bitter gourd and cut it into round pieces of ½ inch thickness.
2. Make a fine paste of the ingredients listed as 2.
3. Heat oil and deep-fry bitter gourd until they turn light brown.
4. In the remaining oil, deep-fry onions too, and strain them from the oil.
5. In the remaining oil, sauté the ground paste till a thin layer of oil appears.
6. Add tomato pieces and sauté again.
7.  Add fried onions, mix well, and add 1 cup of water.
8. When the gravy thickens, increase the flame and add vinegar and sugar.
9. Mix the contents well and add bitter gourd pieces.
10. Turn off the flame and serve your curry.
11. You can add more vinegar and sugar if needed.

Courtesy: Vanitha Magazine, March 15-31, 2020

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