October 25, 2009

Parikkai (Bittergourd) Pitla



Past one week, we have had fare amount of sweets and savories in the name of Diwali and proportionately the calories have increased. The routine cooking had taken a backseat in the name of Diwali preparations. Sambhar is one of the staple of palakkad iyers cooking. And slight changes in the spices roasted and vegetables used will result in another dish. One such is Parikkai Pitla. Piltai is not much favored because of the bitter gourd in it, especially kids. I know many homes that make it only for the annual ritual for the departed soul is performed (Shraddam/Devasom). The preparation is almost similar to Sambhar.My MIL adds kabuli chana in place of tuvar dal in the recipe. I have seen when chana is added, kids takes an instant liking to the dish though will not touch the bitter gourd pieces in it. I usually cook with a light green variety of the BG which we get in my place. This is less bitter than the dark green variety. Infact, you can't taste the bitterness in the dish at all. When made as a stir fry with the addition of onions and tomato, you can easily pass it on as any other vegetable with the absence of the distinct bitter taste.




Bitter gourd - 1 medium sized

Tamarind - lemon sized

Kabuli Chana / Tuvar dal - 1/2 cup

Turmeric

Salt


To roast and grind


Urad dal - 1 tspn
Chana dal- 1tspn
Red chilli- 3 nos
Pepper corn - 4 nos
Hing - few shakes

Grated coconut - 1/2 cup


Seasoning

Oil - 1 tblspn

Mustard seeds - 1 tspn

Curry leaves - few

Grated coconut - 1 tblspn



Pressure cook kabuli chana /tuvar dal till it is soft. If using kabuli chana, it has to be soaked for 5 hours. I soak them overnight.



Wash the bitter gourd. Slit it open and discard the seeds. Chop into bite sized pieces. Extract the tamarind juice. Take tamarind extract, salt and turmeric. in a cooking bowl. Add 1/2 cup of water. When the tamarind extract starts to boil, add the chopped bitter gourd pieces. When the vegetable is cooked tender, add the mashed dal/chana. Reserve the cooked dal water.


Roast the spices except coconut in a little oil, till they are light brown. Grind the spices along with grated coconut to a smooth paste. Add water while grinding. Dilute the ground paste with the reserved water and stir into the cooking pot. Adjust the salt and consistency of the gravy by adding water. Bring to a boil and let it simmer for few minutes.

Season with mustard seeds, curry leaves and a tablespoon of coconut. The coconut should be roasted till brown.





When preparing for Shradham, moong dal is used and red chilly is fully replaced with pepper corns.








20 comments:

  1. Delicious pitla jayashree.. have bittergourd in stock.. will try this time da!!

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  2. nice and yummy curry dear......change from routnie...sure will give it a try

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  3. Such a delicious pitlai, yet to try at home..

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  4. I love pitlai, but the lighter color bittergourd, we never get here. But I love this veggie just for the bitter taste. Delicious one :)

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  5. That looks nice...even I prepared bitter gourd today..

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  6. yum, yummy combo of bitter gourd and chana..looks so delicious.

    Check out my blog for a treat :)
    Here is the address:
    http://teluguruchi.blogspot.com/2009/10/pouring-again.html

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  7. I loveee pitlai..this is different from mine..will try this for sure :)

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  8. Iam possibly one of the few people who like bittergourd. My version is usually made with tuar dal.

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  9. yummy recipe looks delicious love to have this with hot rice.

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  10. My mom makes these pitla & I have been thinking of making them in a while... good pics

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  11. looks lovely... I dont like karela though...

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  12. addition of kabul channa sounds good..i usually make kathrikai pitlai..maybe i could try that this way..

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  13. with kabuli channa!!, never tried, this kind of pitalai, I must try this method, I always love a change, thanx

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  14. Pavakka is one veg i don't like. But then with channa i might love it :-)

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  15. Pitla looks exactly like the one my father loves:). I don't make parikkai at all except when my daughter really irks me for it!

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  16. That would be a great combo..You have a lovely space here..:-)

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  17. mouthwatering Pitali, i love this combo.

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  18. pitla sounds really good with the unusual combination. i know very few curries with bittergourd so this is a welcome addition.

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  19. pitlai is my all time favorite. healthy and tasty.

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