Cut the stem off the Bitter gourd from both ends then wash it properly. Place the washed Bitter gourds in a strainer to remove excess water. Cut Bitter gourd in a manner that it is stuck on one side. Take ½ tsp salt and apply little amounts on the cut portion of all Bitter gourds then keep them aside.
Take a utensil an fill it with water to a level in which the Bitter gourds can be soaked completely. To heat the water place it on the gas and after it comes to boil put Bitter gourds in boiling water. Cover them and allow it to boil on a medium flame till Bitter gourds turn soft. Do keep it mind not to boil the Bitter Gourds too much else they get mashed.
Take the boiled Bitter gourds out and place them on a strainer to remove remaining water. When Bitter gourds have cooled off completely remove any amount of water left in them. Remove the seeds using a knife and place them on one plate and the Bitter gourds on the other.
Pour 1 tbsp oil in a Kadhai(pan) and heat. Put Jeera, Khas-khas, and Heeng in hot oil. Once Jeera is roasted add ½ tsp turmeric powder, Saunff powder, Dhaniya powder then add the seeds to the spices. Stir with a spoon and fry for 2 minutes. Pour curd to the fried spices, fry till water from the curd dries up and the spices absorb all the curd. Turn off the gas then put Saunth powder, Garam masala, salt, Aamchur powder and finely chopped green chilli to the spices. Mix all of these together. The spices required for stuffing the Bitter gourds is ready.
Divide stuffing into portions equal to the number of Bitter gourds. Take one Bitter gourd, fill it with the spices and put it on a plate. Similarly, stuff all the Bitter gourds with spices and keep them aside.
Pour 3 tbsp oil in the Kadhai and heat.Put ¼ tsp turmeric in the oil and put the Bitter gourds as well for frying. Allow them to fry on a medium flame. After 3-4 minutes overturn the Bitter gourds carefully with a spoon and a pair of tongs. In this way fry all Bitter gourds till they turn brown. In 12-15 minutes Bitter gourds will be golden fried and ready to eat.
Serve Stuffed Bitter Gourd(Karela) on a plate with chapatis, paranthas or rice and dig in.
Suggestions
Stuffed Bitter gourd can be tied with a thread and fried. This makes it easy to turn them over,also the spices in it do not spill out. After the Bitter gourds cool off, remove the thread.
When you go for a picnic or a day out prepare Puri with Stuffed Bitter gourd(Karela Karonji) and take them along. These can be stored up to 5-6 days.
