Karate Phodi - Karela/Bitter Gourd Fritters

Bitter Gourd Fritters known as Karatya Phodi in Konkani. Generally, in Indian Cuisine pakodas are made with besan/chickpea flour. This Konkani recipe is using rice flour.

Ingredients:

Bitter Gourd/Karela/Karate - 2 medium  

Rice Flour - 1/2 cup

Red Chili Powder/Cayenne Pepper - 1/2 tsp

Asafetida/Hing - 1/4 tsp

Tamarind Paste - 1/2 tsp

Turmeric - 1/4 tsp

Salt

Oil

How to cook Karate Phodi

• Cut bitter gourd into round pieces, slightly thick. Discard the seeds. Add about 1/2 tsp salt to the cut bitter gourd pieces and mix well. Keep it covered for about an hour. Applying salt will reduce the bitterness of the karela.
• In a mixing bowl, add rice flour, red chilli powder, turmeric, asafoetida, tamarind paste, little salt (just enough for the batter). Add water in small amounts and mix well to form a batter. Batter must neither be too thick, nor watery.
• After an hour, squeeze the water from the bitter gourd pieces with hands. This will take off the excess salt and reduce bitterness as well.   
• Heat enough oil in a pan for deep frying. Dip the bitter gourd rings in the rice batter and deep fry till golden brown.

Enjoy Karele ke Pakode with meals or as a tea time snack.