Ampalaya Atchara (Pickled Bittermelon, Bitter Gourd)
Bittermelon is absolutely an acquired taste but it’s one of my faves. Bitter but with a crisp freshness and a bit of a nutty undertone. The plant is packed with vitamins and nutrients and is often enjoyed in Filipino cuisine. You can eat the fruit & the leaves of the plant & today, I will share a recipe that showcases the bittermelon fruit at its best.
Ingredients
- 2 ampalaya / bittermelon/ bitter gourd, about .25” thick, sliced diagonally
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 white or red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup sliced ginger
- 1 carrot, sliced in diagonal strips
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced in diagonal strips
- 2 banana peppers
Pickling Syrup
- 4 cups white vinegar (coconut vinegar if you have it)
- 4 cups sugar (coconut sugar gives it a deeper flavor)
- 2 tsp salt
- 10 peppercorns
Instructions
- Slice vegetables. Leave garlic whole. Place in large bowl and mix.
- Boil water. I boil the water in our electric kettle and add about a tsp of salt right before pouring over the vegetables.
- Pour the water into the bowl of vegetables and allow them to steep for about a minute. Don’t overcook!
- Drain the vegetables in a colander and quickly rinse with cold water.
- Set aside and allow to dry. I like to pat them dry and allow them to finish off in the refrigerator overnight.
- Prepare the syrup by mixing all ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. Turn off heat immediately once dissolved.
- Assemble. Distribute the veggies and peppercorns evenly between the two jars.
- Pour the hot syrup over the vegetables until just covered. I find that pouring hot syrup over the vegetables perfectly finishes off the cooking process.
- Seal the jars and refrigerate, allow to pickle for a week.
Notes
Tips: This is a great recipe to make when you’ve got lots of veggies on hand. You can substitute or add lots of vegetables to this recipe including radish and a variety of chili peppers (jalapenos for added spice). I like to serve it cold alongside grilled meats or seafood with steaming hot rice. It’s like a party for your tastebuds and senses. Enjoy!