Sambal Pare: Exotic Bitter Gourd Sambal

Welcome to another great sambal recipe! Sambal pare, or bitter gourd sambal, is a unique, bold-tasting sambal that beautifully balances the bitterness of bitter gourd with vibrant flavors of chillies.

To make sambal pare, simply chop and grind the chili, and shallot. Finely chop the bitter gourd and fry the ingredients to remove the bitter flavor. That’s it!

What is Sambal Pare?

Sambal pare is a spicy condiment made primarily from bitter gourd. Originating from Indonesia, this sambal has a distinct bitterness softened through cooking. It features finely chopped bitter gourd, shallots, and red chili peppers, creating a complex flavor profile. It’s a must-try for those seeking an adventurous taste experience.

Step 1: Collect the Ingredients

Note: The given kcal count of this recipe is based on an online calculator and should be taken with a grain of salt. Your actual caloric content might deviate from it.

What to Consider When Choosing the Ingredients:

• Bitter Gourd: Choose firm, unblemished bitter gourds for the best flavor.
• Shallot: Opt for fresh shallots with a strong aroma for added depth.
• Red Chili: Use large red chilies for a balance of heat and sweetness. Rule of thumb: the smaller the chili, the bigger the heat.

Step 2: Chop and grind the ingredients

Cut the bitter gourd in half, remove the seeds and the middle part, keeping only the outer part. Finely chop the bitter gourd, shallot, and red chili. Salt the chopped ingredients and let them rest for 5 minutes.

Step 3: Fry Sambal Pare

Put a frying pan with some (sunflower) oil on medium high-heat. Once hot, fry the chopped mixture until the bitterness is reduced and the flavors meld together, this should take about 5 minutes.

Step 4: Serve and Conserve Sambal Pare

Serve the sambal pare fresh or store it in an airtight container for a few days. Always check your food for spoilage before use. I recommend serving this sambal with various foods, like some of my own recipes:

• Nasi goreng ayam
• Nasi goreng cina
• Pangsit
• Nasi kuning
• Nasi jagung

or combine it with another sambal found on my website!

• Sambal oelek
• Sambal bajak
• Sambal serundeng
• Sambal goreng kentang

I hope you’ve enjoyed this amazing sambal, please let me know what you think in the comments below and leave a rating!