The Bitter Melon's Sweet Side Story

Hi there,

As much as I enjoy sharing favorite recipes, personal stories, photos and art with you, I get inspired when bringing to life the purpose of each topic. So join me over a hot or cool beverage as I introduce my first pickled *Bitter Melon Relish Salad or as we call it in the Philippines, AMPALAYA relish salad.!

Bitter melon "ampalaya" is crunchy, bitter and delicious! Why do many voice their "Yuck" frowning-puckering mouth gestures for this misinterpreted vegetable gourd? Lets find out if the following variations to making this vegetable edible to ones palate will change your taste buds.

STEP 1~Clean vegetable with tap water, wipe and gently slice lengthwise one or two bitter melons, scooping out the seed pods with your fingers or spatula. Set aside seeds for drying and for planting.

STEP 2~In a large bowl filled with water, add 1/2 tsp of salt and bitter melon slices, stirring it and covering it as it soaks for 1/2 hour or less. Thin slices will leach out the bitterness faster than thick slices. *I prefer to skip this step to preserve the bitterness.

STEP 3~Drain the salted water, washing the remaining salt from the AMPALAYA and wrap a cheese cloth or paper towel around vegetable, gently squeezing out water residue. *When leeching the bitterness out from the bitter melon, the water can be set aside to boil as tea. Reminder: Do not add salt if you are going to use the bitter melon water as tea.

STEP 4~Chop the following; 6 small to medium tomatoes, 1/2 white onion, 1 medium shallot and 3 garlic segments. Slice thinly, 1 jalapeno pepper and slice lengthwise 2 small Persian cucumbers and set aside.

STEP 5~ In a medium glass bowl, add 1/2 cup rice vinegar, 1/3 cup of virgin olive oil, 2 tsp of the herb stevia granules or Japanese mirin, 2 tsp Bragg's liquid amino, 1/2 tsp crushed ginger and 1/2 tsp of garlic,1/2 tsp Himalayan pink salt, crushed white and black peppercorns, 1/2 tsp grated turmeric root and cayenne powder. Marinade the vinaigrette spices for 20 minutes. Add vegetables to spiced vinaigrette.

Enjoy this relish salad for the next few days by itself or with grilled fish,chicken,lean pork or beef. Like all pickled veggies and fruits, the flavor gets robust and tastier.  I've read that raw or simmered vegetables and fruits provide wonderful nutrients and antioxidants whereas the tomato's lutein is activated when sauteed or fried.  Share your recipe and story, it would be nice to hear from you.

 (C)Babe Barton Recipes 2012