Forest Bitter Gourd Fry / Phaglachyo Fodi

I was always a fussy eater in my childhood. I don't know how many of the yummy things I have missed in my life due to this fussiness. One such thing would have been "Phaglacho Fodi". "Phagla" are known as Forest Bitter Gourd and is available in More Megastore during this monsoon season.
I will write one beautiful experience of my life that this particular vegetable and this particular dish reminds me of.

One day in monsoon my mom cooked "Phaglachyo Fodi" for my Dad. I asked my mom what it was, she asked me to taste and see how good it is. I said a big NO. Then my dad told me the same and when my dad tells me something I can never say NO :)

I tasted it, first bite I did not like. Second bite I liked and then there was no stop. I fell in love with it. Now too every year I never miss to buy this vege from the local grocery store. I even send kilos of them home for my Dad, since he too loves it. This vege is not freely available in the local markets of Goa, but people travelling to & from Belgaum normally buy this vege as it's cheaply available on the Goa-Karnataka border. This is available only in the forest areas.

Only the name is Forest Bitter Gourd, but the taste is sweet unlike Bitter Gourd(Karela). They both belong to the same family and hence the name :)

Another incident I remember was when I had gone to Belgaum with my friend during admission to my PG college. Her Dad also knew that I love this vege and he got it for me and asked the waiter in he hotel to cook it for me :)

I introduced this vege to my hubby after marriage and he too likes it now :) Sometimes when I go to More Megastore to buy grocery, many ladies who spot me buying this vege come and ask what it is and how to cook it :)  I then explain them the procedure and seeing me explain, many more gather around and buy some for trial purpose... Good advertising for the store.. :D

I have not seen many people buying it in Bangalore and it can never be found in any of the hotels. This is sooo tasty and if someone makes it a special dish in the restaurants in monsoon, I am sure that restaurant will rule.

And yes, this is only available during the monsoons... A special seasonal treat for me from nature is when this vege is available in the grocery stores around.

Ingredients:

3 Forest Bittergourd
1 tsp chilly powder
1/2 tsp salt

For the coating:
1 tsp chilly powder
1 tsp turmeric powder
3 tablespoon rava/Sooji
1 tablespoon rice flour
Salt to taste

Oil for frying

Procedure:

Slice the forest bittergourd and put them in water. Keep them in water for 30 Min's.
After 30 Min's, drain the water and apply chilly powder and salt to them evenly.

Apply chilly powder and salt

For the coating, mix the rava, rice flour, chilly powder and turmeric powder. Add 1/4 tsp salt to this.

For the coating

After coating it, spread 1 tsp oil on tava/frying pan and place the coated forest bittergourd. Fry it on both sides.


Serve it with rice. as an accompaniment.