Pagarkai Gojju (Bittergourd/Karela Spiced Gravy) | Rasaala

Ingredients

• 2 medium bitter gourds (The smooth chinese variety is a bit less bitter; the one that looks a bit thorny is extremely bitter - ergo healthier ;))
• 1 small lemon sized tamarind, soaked in warm water
• 3 tsp salt, divided
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 sprig curry leaves
• 2 tsp oil, preferably sesame oil or gingelly (nallennai)
• 1/2 tsp oil
• 1/2 cup coconut, defrosted if frozen
• 2 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds/vendhayam/methi seeds
• 2 tsp black gram/urad dal/ulutham paruppu
• 6-8 red chilies
• 1 tsp oil
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1/2 tsp hing/asafoetida
• 1 red chili, optional
• 1 tbsp gud/jaggery/brown sugar