Say goodbye to bitterness: 5 easy ways to make bitter gourd delicious

This is the oldest and most effective method. Using salt is a surefire way to remove the bitterness of bitter gourd. To do this, thoroughly wash, peel (if desired), and cut the bitter gourd.

New Delhi: Do your children run away from the dining table at the mention of bitter gourd? Are you tired of wondering how to make this nutritional powerhouse vegetable tasty? If so, the good news is that you no longer need to force your children to eat bitter gourd. We have some infallible and age-old kitchen 'secrets' that will magically remove the bitterness of bitter gourd.

Using Salt
This is the oldest and most effective method. Using salt is a surefire way to remove the bitterness of bitter gourd. To do this, thoroughly wash, peel (if desired), and cut the bitter gourd. Sprinkle a generous amount of salt on it. Then let it sit for about 20 to 30 minutes.

The salt will draw out all the bitter juices from the bitter gourd. Afterward, rinse the bitter gourd thoroughly 2-3 times with clean water and squeeze it out. You'll notice that the bitterness has reduced significantly.

The Magic of Yogurt or Buttermilk
Did you know that yogurt or buttermilk can also reduce the bitterness of bitter gourd? These ingredients balance the bitterness of bitter gourd. Soak the bitter gourd in yogurt or buttermilk (whey) for 1-2 hours, either by cutting it into pieces or peeling it (for stuffed bitter gourd).

After soaking in yogurt, rinse it with plain water. The sourness and creaminess of yogurt greatly enhances the bitter gourd's flavor and reduces the bitterness.

The 'Sweet-Sour' Combination of Lemon and Turmeric
The sourness of lemon and the color of turmeric together counteract the bitterness of bitter gourd. To do this, apply lemon juice and a little turmeric to the chopped bitter gourd and marinate for 15-20 minutes.

Lemon helps suppress bitterness, and turmeric gives the bitter gourd a beautiful color. Wash it before cooking.

Easy Boiling Method
If you're in a hurry and want to completely eliminate the bitterness, try this method. Boil water in a pot, add a little salt, and boil chopped bitter gourd for 5-7 minutes.

Boiling removes the bitterness from the bitter gourd. After boiling, immediately rinse the bitter gourd under cold water and then use it to make the curry. This also helps it cook faster.

Excessive Onion and Spices
When preparing curries, even increasing the quantity of certain ingredients can overwhelm the true flavor of bitter gourd. Increase the amount of onion and spices in bitter gourd curry. Especially use more onion, garlic, and amchur powder (dried mango powder).

Onions and spices give the curry a deep and spicy flavor, masking the bitter gourd's bitter taste.