Bitter Gourd is known as Serosi in Belize.  If you love this vegetable, the more bitter it is, the tastier it gets!

This  one is a traditional family recipe.

Marinade for Minced Pork:

2 Tbsp soya sauce

1 Tbsp vegetable oil

1 small onion, chopped finely

2-4 cloves of garlic, chopped finely

8-12 bird chili peppers, chopped finely (optional)

1 tsp corn starch

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp white pepper, ground

Add this marinade to:

1lb of minced (ground) pork

mix well and refrigerate for a least one hour (overnight is better).

Take:

8 to 12 small to medium bitter gourds

and halve them lengthwise,  Scoop out the seeds with a teaspoon to hollow out the vegetables.

Take:

the marinated pork

and fill the hollowed out serosi.

Put a skillet on high heat and add a couple of tablespoons of vegetable oil.  Once it is hot, gently place the stuffed serosi, meat side down on the skillet.  Let it brown for 2 to 3 minutes.  If your skillet is not large enough, do this in batches to ensure even browning of meat.  Once all this has been done, place all stuffed serosi meat side up and turn the heat down to low.  Place a tight fitting lid on the skillet and cook for 10 to 15 minutes until the meat is done.

Serves 4.  Serve with rice or carbohydrate of your choice.  We had lentils with our stuffed serosi.