Running. Cooking. Yoga. Life

I know, I know, raw bittermelon?!?!  Am I crazy?  Well, I probably am a bit crazy, but this dish is amazing.  I used to not even like bittermelon, but it has grown on me, and for me this is the best way to have it.  It is surprisingly not very bitter, and it’s just so refreshing and cooling to eat.  Plus, there are many health benefits of eating bittermelon.  It is reported to help in the treatment of diabetes and psoriasis since it helps with blood sugar levels.  It’s packed with antioxidants, and it has shown anti-cancer activities.  It has been shown to help cases of leukemia and melanoma. Bitter melon is also effective against numerous viruses, including the Epstein-Barr, herpes and HIV viruses.

So here’s the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups seeded and sliced (julienned) bittermelon
• 5 shallots, sliced
• 4 plum tomatoes, sliced
• salt
• 1/4 cup lemon juice

Directions:

1. Sprinkle the bittermelon with salt and let stand in a strainer for at least half an hour.  Rinse off the salt.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine bittermelon with the remaining ingredients.  Let it stand for 10 minutes so the flavors develops, then serve.

Easy, yeah?  Enjoy and Namaste,

Lyla