করলা / Bitter Gourd 

Momordica charantia, known as bitter melon, bitter gourd, bitter squash, or balsam-pear, has names in other languages which have entered English as loanwords,

e.g. goya from Okinawan, pākal (பாகல்) in Tamil and karela from Sanskrit. Those from the Caribbean island of Jamaica commonly refer to the plant as cerasee. In Brazil this plant is called Saint Cajetan's Melon (melão-de-são-caetano). 

It is a tropical and subtropical vine of the family Cucurbitaceae, widely grown in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean for its edible fruit. Its many varieties differ substantially in the shape and bitterness of the fruit. 

Bitter melon originated in India and was introduced into China in the 14th century. 

Bitter melon comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. The cultivar common in China is 20–30 cm (7.9–11.8 in) long, oblong with bluntly tapering ends and pale green in color, with a gently undulating, warty surface. The bitter melon more typical of India has a

narrower shape with pointed ends, and a surface covered with jagged, triangular "teeth" and ridges. It is green to white in color. Between these two extremes are any number of intermediate forms. Some bear miniature fruit of only 6–10 cm (2.4–3.9 in) in length, which may be served individually as stuffed vegetables. These miniature fruit are popular in Bangladesh, India (common name 'Karela'), Pakistan, Nepal and other countries in South Asia. The sub-continent variety is most popular in Bangladesh and India. 

In Bangladesh, known as korola (করলা) in Bengali, bitter melon is often cooked with onions, red chili powder, turmeric powder, salt, coriander powder, and a pinch of cumin seeds. Another dish in Pakistan calls for whole, unpeeled bitter melon to be boiled and then stuffed with cooked minced beef, served with either hot tandoori bread, naan, chappati, or with khichri (a mixture of lentils and rice). 

They are in use since a very long time in Hindu medicine or Ayurveda[citation needed]. Bitter melon has been used in various Asian and African herbal medicine systems for a long time.[6][7][8] In Turkey, it has been used as a folk remedy for a variety of ailments, particularly stomach complaints.[9] In traditional medicine of India different parts of the plant are used as claimed treatments for diabetes (particularly Polypeptide-p, an insulin analogue),and as a stomachic, laxative, antibilious, emetic, anthelmintic agent, for the treatment of cough, respiratory diseases, skin diseases, wounds, ulcer, gout, and rheumatism. 

Bitter Gourd Nutrition FactsAmount: 1 cup 

Total Weight:                         93 g 

Nutrients                                Amount 

Basic Components        

Proteins                                  930 mg 

Water                                      87.4 g 

Ash                                         1 g 

Fats                                         158 mg 

Calories       

Total Calories                         16 

Calories From Carbohydrate 12 

Calories From Fat                   1.3 

Calories From Protein           2.3 

Carbohydrates     

Total Carbohydrates              3.4 g 

Dietary Fiber                          2.6 g 

Vitamins     

Vitamin A                                438 IU 

Vitamin C                                78 mg 

Thiamin                                   37 mcg 

Riboflavin                               37 mcg 

Niacin                                      372 mcg 

Vitamin B6                              40 mcg 

Folate                                      67 mcg 

Pantothenic Acid                   197 mcg 

Minerals     

Calcium                                   18 mg 

Iron                                          400 mcg 

Magnesium                             16 mg 

Phosphorus                              29 mg 

Potassium                               275 mg 

Sodium                                   4.7 mg 

Zinc                                         744 mcg 

Copper                                    32 mcg 

Manganese                             83 mcg 

Selenium                                 0.19 mcg 

Health Benefits of Bitter Gourd 

• Due to its hypoglycemic action, bitter gourd makes an excellent remedy for diabetes. The insulin-like peptides, alkaloids, and charantin combine to lower
  
  blood and urine sugar levels without increasing blood insulin levels. 
  
• The blood purifying properties of bitter gourd deem it to be an ideal treatment for blood disorders like blood boils and itching due to blood poisoning caused by bacterial toxic substances in the blood. 
• Fresh juice extracted from bitter gourd is beneficial for people suffering from piles. All you need to do is prepare a mixture of bitter gourd juice and buttermilk and have it every morning for about a month. 
• Cellulose is a good source of fiber which helps in preventing constipation. Bitter gourd contains cellulose that acts as a great digestive agent and helps in stimulating the secretion of gastric juices. This, in turn, helps people suffering from dyspepsia. 
  
  
  
• Bitter gourd encourages the liver to secrete more bile juices which are necessary for the metabolism of fats. Hence, if you are yearning for a perfect, slim figure, include loads of bitter gourd in your diet. 
• Researches indicate that a glass of bitter gourd juice strengthens the immune system and increases the body’s power to fight against infections. Besides, it also improves the immunity of cell functioning in people suffering from cancer. 
• Regular consumption of bitter gourd juice is known to stimulate the energy and stamina levels in the body, especially in people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome. 
  
• Bitter gourd is a known remedy for curing various skin diseases and skin infections, such as eczema. Not only it avoids the skin from developing blemishes, it also improves the glow and texture of the skin, ensuring that you do not develop any acne. It has also been acknowledged for successfully healing skin eruptions, chapped skin, burns, and hemorrhoids. 
• Consuming bitter gourd juice on a regular basis aids in improving the condition of psoriasis and other infections of fungus, such as athlete’s foot and ringworm. 
• Bitter gourd acts as an antidote for alcohol intoxication and promotes purification, restoration, and nourishment of the liver. The juice, in particular, is beneficial for treating a bad hangover. 
• With high levels of beta-carotene and other beneficial compounds, bitter gourd juice is regarded as the best drink for alleviating eye disorders and strengthening eyesight. Further, it is recommended by herbalists for normalizing restless sleeping patterns. 
  
• Diluting 2 ounces of bitter gourd juice with honey and water helps in fighting and improving pharyngitis, bronchitis, and asthma. 
• By cleansing the blood and body from harmful toxins, bitter gourd helps in getting rid of jaundice, due to its highly beneficial properties. 
• By stimulating the secretion of gastric juices properly, bitter gourd helps in enhancing the digestion process. To add on, it is used for treating intestinal worms, constipation, and diarrhea. 
• Bitter gourd is considered beneficial for the overall health of women. Not only it helps in treating menstrual disorders and female genital tract related problems, it assists in secreting milk during the lactation phase after pregnancy. 

Dosage of Bitter Melon for Diabetes 

Recommended Dosage 

Health professionals with the University of Michigan Health System recommend consuming bitter melon as a food, decoction, fresh juice or tincture. People with

diabetes may consume one small melon or drink 2 oz. of fresh bitter melon juice each day. Unfortunately, the taste of bitter melon is quite unpleasant -- you may find that taking the fresh juice as a shot makes the taste more tolerable. Alternatively, you can take 3.3 oz. of a bitter melon decoction daily or 1 tsp. of bitter melon tincture up to three times each day. 

Adverse Effects 

Usually, bitter melon is well-tolerated when used appropriately. As a diabetic, taking too much bitter melon may severely lower your blood sugar to hypoglycemic levels.  

People with diabetes who receive drug therapy to control their blood sugar levels shouldn't take bitter melon. Medications of concern include insulin, glipizide, glimepiride and pioglitazone. When used in combination with bitter melon, these treatments may significantly increase your risk of developing hypoglycemia. 

Some Recipe 

Juice Recipe - Diabetic Juice Recipes 

Ingredients: 

Bitter Gourd - 1 large 

Green Apple / Red Apple - 1 

Ginger - 2 cm piece peeled and chopped 

Lemon Juice - 1 tblspn or to taste 

Salt or Black Salt - 1 tsp + 1/2 tsp 

Green Chilli or Black Pepper - 1 small chopped 

Cold Water as needed 

Method: 

Take bitter gourd and wash it well. Cut them in half, scoop out the seeds. Chop it into small pieces. 

Take this in a bowl, add in 1 tsp of salt over this and mix really well with your hands. Set this aside for 10 to 15 mins. 

Now chop a apple, remove the seeds and set aside. 

Now take the bitter gourd and squeeze it in your hands, the juices will come out, discard it.  

Take the squeezed bitter gourd in a blender, add in green apple, chilli, ginger and puree smoothly adding some water. 

Strain this, add in lemon juice and salt. Mix well. 

Add more water if too thick. Pour it into glasses and serve cold. 

Korola Recipes 

Ingredients: Bitter Gourd - 3 medium size sliced into rounds 

Onion - 1 large sliced thinly Tomatoes - 2 medium size chopped finely Oil - 5 tblspn Fennel Seeds / Saunf / Sombu - 1 tsp Cinnamon - 2 inch stick Chilli Powder - 2 tsp Coriander Powder - 1 tblspn  Turmeric Powder / Manjal Podi - 1 tsp + 1 tsp Salt to taste Sugar - 1 tblspn Tamarind Pulp - 2 tblspn + 1 tblspn Water as needed 

Method: Take water, salt, turmeric powder and tamarind pulp in a sauce pan and bring it to boil. Once it reached a boil, add the bitter gourd and cook it till it becomes tender. Drain and set aside. Now heat oil in a kadai. Add in fennel and cinnamon stick. Let them sizzle. Now add in onions and saute till they get translucent. Now add in salt, sugar and spice powders. Mix them. Add in tomatoes and mix well Add some water and cook till they turn mushy and oil separates from it. Add in cooked bitter gourd now along with some tamarind pulp. Mix well and cook on a low heat till it is cooked welll and all flavourd combines. Simmer this for 10 to1 5 mins till it is nicely combined. Switch off the heat and serve. 

Easy bitter gourd stir fry recipe 

Ingredients 

1 big bitter gourd / kanchal / haagalakai / karela 

1 tsp salt, for marination 

preferably coconut oil, 1-2 tbsp oil, 

1 cup water 

½ tsp mustard seeds 

½ tsp chana dal 

1 red chilli, dried 

½ tsp urad dal 

few curry leaves 

pinch of hing /asafoetida 

1 cup tamarind juice 

1 big piece jaggery / gud, or as required 

½ tsp turmeric powder 

1 tsp rasam powder 

2 tbsp fresh / desiccated coconut 

Method 

slice the bitter gourd / kanchal / haagalakai into thick slices. 

remove the seeds and spongy centres. 

transfer the sliced bitter gourd into a large bowl and add a tsp of salt. 

mix well and allow it to rest for 20-30 minutes. 

now rinse the bitter gourd under cold water. 

in a large kadai, add a tbsp of oil along with mustard seeds, chana dal, urad dal, dried red chilli, curry leaves and hing. 

fry and allow to splutter. 

add the squeezed and drained bitter gourd and stir-fry for 3-4 minutes. 

now spread them well on a kadai and cook for about 10 - 15 minutes or until softened. 

now add tamarind juice. 

also add jaggery and turmeric powder. add salt if required only. 

mix well and allow to cook for 15 minutes or till water drains completely. 

once the water gets drained off completely, add rasam powder and fry for a minute or 2. 

add a tsp of oil over it. 

garnish with fresh or desiccated/ shredded coconut. 

serve kanchal palya hot with rice or chapathi. 

Stir Fried Fish With Bitter Gourd 

Ingredients 

Serves 4 

 500 Grams Fish (cut into pieces) 

2 Tablespoons Cornflour 

250 Grams Bitter Melon (sliced) 

¼ Cup Hot water 

20 Grams Ginger (chopped) 

40 Grams Shallot (chopped) 

1 Big onion (cut wedges) 

10 Grams Fermented black bean 

10 Grams Garlic (chopped) 

3 Bird eye's chilies (chopped) 

1 Tablespoon Sesame oil 

1 Tablespoon Light soy sauce 

½ Tablespoon Dark soy sauce 

½ Tablespoon Sugar 

½ Teaspoon Black pepper 

½ Tablespoon Chinese cooking wine (optional 

Instructions 

Step 1 First clean fish, cut into pieces and season with salt and pepper. 

Step 2 Rinse bitter gourd (bitter melon) and cut into thin slices. 

Step 3 Cut and chop onions, garlic, ginger and chilies. Then soak and rinse black fermented beans. 

Step 4 Prepare the seasonings for the dish. They are light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, black pepper and Chinese cooking oil (optional). 

Step 5 Mix the seasonings well in a small bowl. 

Step 6 Blanch slices bitter gourd (bitter melon) in pot of boiling water with salt added, about 1 minute. 

Step 7 Remove from water and drain, then set aside. 

Step 8 Coat the fish pieces with cornflour. 

Step 9 Scald the coated fish in hot oil to seal the juiciness of the meat. 

Step 10 Drain the fried fish and set aside. 

Step 11 

Heat up some oil in the wok and sauté chopped garlic, ginger, chilies, onions and fermented black beans until fragrant. 

Step 12 Then add the blanched bitter gourd (bitter melon) and stir fry over high heat for about 2 minutes. 

Step 13 Add in the seasonings and stir until evenly spread. 

Step 14 Then add hot water using the same bowl for the seasonings. 

Step 15 Lastly put in the fried fish and toss in the stir fried ingredients for about 1 minute. 

Step 16 And you're done! Garnish with green onions and red chilies. 

Bitter Gourd with shrimp 

Ingredients 

1 medium ampalaya (bitter gourd), cut in half lengthwise, cored, and sliced into thin pieces 

8 to 10 pieces shrimp 

2 eggs, beaten 

1 medium tomato, cut into cubes 

1 small onion, sliced 

4 cloves garlic, crushed and chopped 

3 tablespoons cooking oil 

Salt and pepper to taste 

Method 

Combine ampalaya and 1 tablespoon salt. Mix well. Let it stay for 15 minutes. Rinse with water. 

Heat the cooking oil in a pan. 

Once the oil gets hot, add the garlic. Saute until the color turns light brown. 

Add the onion and tomato. Sauce until the texture turns soft. 

Add the shrimp. Stir and cook for 2 minutes. 

Stir-in the ampalaya. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. 

Make extra room in the pan by pushing the mixture on the side. Pour the beaten eggs in the pan. Continue to cook the eggs while trying to stir around. 

Mix the cooked egg with the rest of the ingredients. Cook for a minute. 

Transfer to a serving plate. Serve. 

Stuffed Bittergourd  

with Chapila / Ganges river gizzard shad  

Ingredients 

500 gm bitter gourd 

500 gm raw Chapila 

Cumin powder 

Fennel powder 

Coriander powder 

Salt 

Chilli powder 

Vegetable oil 

Method 

Peel the bittergourd, 

Don't throw peeled skin - keep it aside putting salt in it. 

Put salt in bittergourd also and keep it aside for 10 minutes. 

Grate the raw Chapila, fry it with all the masala powder and the upper peel of bitter gourd. 

Take it out. Fill the filling inside the bitter gourd and fry it in oil on untill it's cooked.