Bitter Gourd Pods

Bitter gourd — also known as bitter melon — is one of the most polarising vegetables in the kitchen. Its pronounced bitterness is an acquired taste, but it is deeply loved across Indian, Chinese, Filipino, and Southeast Asian cuisines where it features in stir-fries, curries, soups, and stuffed preparations.

The pods are typically pale to dark green with a bumpy, ridged skin. They are usually sliced, salted, or blanched before cooking to temper the bitterness. Common preparations include stir-frying with egg and fermented black beans (Chinese style), stuffing with spiced mince (Indian style), or adding to sour soups (Filipino sinigang).

Bitter gourd is readily available at Asian grocers across Australia and is increasingly found in mainstream supermarkets. It grows well in Australian summer gardens.