Cucumis callosus is a species of wild melon. It is commonly known as kachri or kachri and is known as "bitter cucumber" in English. It is widely used in rural India (especially tribal areas) to make pickles, chutneys, and vegetable dishes.
To remove bitterness deep the bitter cucumber in a salty water for a while then remove excess water and deep in apple or sugarcane vinegar, then remove excess vinegar before cooking.
Bitter Cucumber Stir-Fry Recipe
Ingredients
- Bitter cucumber – 1 kg (ripe)
- Turmeric powder – 1 teaspoon
- Garlic – 1 clove (crushed)
- Oil – 2 tablespoons
- Jaggery – 20 to 25 grams
- Coriander seeds – 1 teaspoon
- Salt – As per taste
- Red chili powder – As per taste
Preparation Steps
1. Preparing the Bitter Cucumber
- Peel the ripe bitter cucumber to remove the outer skin.
- Finely chop the peeled cucumber into small pieces.
2. Boiling the Bitter Cucumber
- In a pot, add the chopped bitter cucumber and enough water to cover it.
- Add turmeric powder to the water and bring it to a boil.
- Let it simmer on low heat for about 10 minutes to reduce bitterness.
- Once boiled, drain the water completely and set the cucumber aside.
Cooking the Bitter Cucumber
1. Sautรฉing the Garlic
- Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan on medium heat.
- Add crushed garlic and sautรฉ until it turns golden brown and fragrant.
2. Adding the Spices
- Add the boiled bitter cucumber to the pan and stir well.
- Sprinkle red chili powder, turmeric, coriander seeds, and salt over the cucumber.
- Mix thoroughly to coat the cucumber with spices.
3. Sweetening and Simmering
- Add jaggery to the pan and stir until it dissolves into the mixture.
- Allow the cucumber to cook for a few more minutes until the spices and jaggery are fully absorbed.
Serving
- Serve hot as a side dish with rice or flatbread.
- This dish has a slightly sour and sweet taste with a hint of bitterness.
Enjoy your flavorful bitter cucumber dish! ๐✨
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