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Punjabi-Style Karela (Bitter Melon) Curry

September 20, 2012 By marketeditor

The Market’s recipe this week is from the family kitchen of Himanee Gupta-Carlson, a founding member of the Friends of the Saratoga Farmers’ Market. The members support the Market through activities such as the Veggie Valet, which helps customers with their packages at the Saturday Market. We thank Himanee for her enthusiasm for all things local and for bringing her heritage deliciously to our tables. (To join the Friends of the Saratoga Market, talk to Himanee or another of the Friends during any market, or to Market Coordinator Suzanne Carreker-Voigt at the market shed.)

Bitter melon (also called bitter gourd or bitter squash) is a bumpy gourd-like vegetable, related to the cucumber, and available locally in September and October through the Otrembiak Family Farm stand at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market. It is an old fruit which originated in India, spread to China in the 1400s, and is now popular all over the world.

John Otrembiak first encountered bitter melon while in the Peace Corps in Southeast Asia. The Otrembiaks have grown the gourd for about twenty years because as Steve Otrembiak, John’s brother, put it, “It’s fun; the plant and the fruit are beautiful and very healthful for you to eat; and it helps fill a small demand for Asian vegetables.”

The flesh is crunchy and somewhat watery in texture, similar to cucumber or green bell pepper, but pleasantly bitter. The skin is tender and edible. Known in northern India as karela, it is fried or roasted and said to be good for digestion as well as regulating blood sugars. Its mildly bitter flavor pairs well with eggplant, greens, and several meat dishes. Himanee and her husband have been enjoying it lately with grilled beef short ribs and hamburgers.

After Himanee’s parents emigrated from India in 1961, her mother would prepare karela (bitter melon) from time to time. Karela is one of those vegetables Himanee detested as a child but came to love as an adult. She found this karela (bitter melon) recipe a few years ago on the food blog, vegetarianzest.blogspot.com, which is maintained by an Indian émigré. The dish is “strong and pungent and a little goes a long way” according to Himanee. She appreciates it for its ease of preparation, the use of produce now in season, and of course the taste. “It’s a fairly standard north Indian Punjabi preparation,” she commented, “However, I tweaked it a bit to express what was available in my garden rather than the store.”

 

Punjabi Style Karela (Bitter Melon) Curry (Serves 2-3 people, as a side dish) 

Cautions:  Some people (especially children) may experience reactions to the seeds of the bitter melon. Remove the seeds and discard. Bitter melon contains the glycoside vicine which can cause favism in sensitive populations. Bitter melon is not advised during pregnancy.

1 bitter melon, sliced into thin rounds *
½ small onion (about 1 tablespoon chopped *
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh ginger
1 small tomato, chopped *
½ green chili, chopped *
Cumin seeds
½ teaspoon garam masala (This oft-used Indian spice mixture is available at local grocery or natural food stores; or you can make a quantity and freeze for later use. See the recipes on allrecipes.com.)

1. Heat oil in a skillet or frying pan; add a few cumin seeds and heat until just fragrant.

2. Add bitter melon rounds and fry for 1-2 minutes until lightly browned. Remove bitter melon from oil and place on paper towel to drain.

3. Add additional oil to skillet if necessary, and toss in onion. Fry at medium heat until browned, then add ginger, tomato and chili.

4. Lower heat and cook, stirring often, until the tomato reduces to a pulp.

5. Sprinkle garam masala on top of mixture; add bitter melon rounds, and stir so vegetable mixture coats the bitter melon.

 

A version of this market recipe appears in this week’s edition of Saratoga Today. Ingredients marked with an asterisk (*) are available at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market.

Filed Under: Seasonal Recipes

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Have you tried any of @nettlemeadowfarm's newest S Have you tried any of @nettlemeadowfarm's newest Schroon Moon spreadable cow's cheeses yet? Go for savory or sweet with 5 different flavors. Pick some up at this Saturday's market - we'll be open 9:30am - 1:30pm at the Wilton Mall food court!
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#farmersmarket #saratogafarmersmarket #saratogasprings #saratogany #wilton #518 #518eats #farmfresh #nofarmsnofood #dairy #cheese
We are honored to be nominated as one of the Best We are honored to be nominated as one of the Best Farmers’ Markets in the Capital Region for the Times Union’s Best of 2021! Thank you to all of our amazing customers and community for your continued support! You can vote for us daily under the category “Goods & Services” using this link: https://www.timesunion.com/bestof2021/ 
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#timesunionbestof2021 #timesunionbestof #saratogafarmersmarket #farmersmarket 
#supportlocal #shoplocal #saratogany #saratogasprings
Starting off the week with another MCM (Market Cru Starting off the week with another MCM (Market Crush Monday!) This week we talked to Kim from Mugzy’s Barkery who brings healthy, locally made dog treats to the market. 
 
1. How did Mugzy’s Barkery get started? 
My sister Jaime started the business just over 5 years ago to have a healthier treat option to give her beloved Olde English Bulldog, Mugzy. Our treats are all natural and organic, providing a healthy alternative to mass-produced treats for caring dog parents. 
 
 2. What’s your favorite part about vending at the market?
Definitely getting to see all the dogs! The funny thing is I know all our regular customer’s dogs by name, not the owners. 
 
3. What are your most popular treat flavors?
Pumpkin paws (grain-free biscuits) and the pupcakes (a bite-sized treat) are really popular with the dogs but we also have flavors like PB cookie cups, apple cheddar training treats, banana buddies and more, so something to fit any pup’s tastes!
 
The PB cookie cups have been tried and approved by our market assistant’s dog, Lacey! 
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#saratogafarmersmarket #farmersmarket #saratoga #upstateny #shoplocal #saratogadog #farmersmarketfresh #mugzysbarkery #dogtreats #healthydogtreats
No need for an international flight when you can j No need for an international flight when you can journey around the world at the market! 🌍 Between Italian, Mediterranean, and Ukrainian, our vendors bring some of their best home cuisines to the market.
 
Have you tried My Dacha's Ukrainian food yet? Choose from lots of delicious options like pierogies, stuffed cabbage, kielbasa, or opt for sweet crepes. 🥟🤤 (If you've tried their food, what's your favorite?!)

We're open this Saturday, 9:30am - 1:30pm at the Wilton Mall food court!
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#farmersmarket #saratogafarmersmarket #saratogasprings #food #ukrainian #pierogies

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