Bitter gourd Pickle/Pavaka Achar

Source: Magazine 

Ingredients:
Bitter gourd - 6
Garlic - 15 flakes
Ginger - Small piece
Green chili - 8
Curry leaves - 3 to 4 twigs
Mustard - 1 tsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Vinegar - 1/2 cup
Gingely Oil -1/2 cup
Salt as required

Preparation:
Wash  bitter gourd nicely and cut into small pieces. Take a bowl  mix bitter gourd with vinegar & salt and keep it aside for an hour or two.  Then squeeze it nicely and steam it by adding turmeric powder.  Do not boil it for long. Meanwhile chop garlic, ginger and green chili into small pieces. Heat oil in a pan add mustard seeds, when it splutters add chopped garlic, ginger  and green chilly. Saute it for few minutes and add the steamed bitter gourd  and  oil  and mix nicely. When it is done, remove from fire, allow it to cool and transfer it in a container.

 Note: Mixing salt and vinegar to bitter gourd helps to reduce its bitterness.