Many of you have asked about karela or bitter melon, especially after I talked about it in my morning green smoothie. It is a common vegetable in Indian grocers but not so much in mainstream US grocery stores. There is a wrinkly Indian version and a smoother Chinese one. I prefer the Indian version but you can use either. It's extremely bitter but so good for you for a variety of reason. One is reducing blood glucose and thus good for fighting diabetes. It helps with digestion and helps clear skin and acne. It's also known to help with weight loss. I like to use a small amount - no more than a 2-inch piece in my morning green smoothie. It makes all the difference and you won't even know it's in there. You'll definitely taste that little bit of bitterness, but not to worry, the other ingredients will mask some of that. Proper prep is key. I like to slice it lengthwise and take out any larger seeds and throw them away. I then cut it into 2-inch pieces, place them in a baggie, and freeze them to more easily grab. This last step is key because when I leave it in the fridge it can go bad quickly. This way there's zero waste and maximum benefits.
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Anupy
February 26, 2023
That is wonderful to hear!! And, I’m very happy to hear that you are exploring Indian grocers. Most and mom-and-pop establishments and I love helping them survive with our business!! Feel free to share where you shop so others in your area can also head in there and support them! -xoxo Anupy