Lauki/Bottle gourd kofta curry

Lauki is the hindi name for bottle gourd.For the longest time i(even my mom) used to make this vegetable only with dal and ground coconut the south indian way.Until my mom told me she got tired of adding dal to it and tried the sabji just with onions and tomatoes tastes good really good infact with chapathis.This curry is so common in north indian hotels but I used to wonder how it may taste.

Bottle gourd is supposed to be good for nursing mothers this is another vegetable i was made to eat day in day out and also once i told my DH its good he used to bring it so often i actually got sick of it.But like you know necessity or boredom is probably the key to innovation.So I didn't innovate but this is a tried and tested dish I though i must try it out too.

It is a good curry to go with flavoured rices and any indian flat breads.My daughter had few koftas just as it is before they went into the gravy.So thats a good idea too.

You need

To make the kofta balls

Bottle gourd a small one or half a large one grated
Salt a pinch
Besan/kadala maav/bengal gram flour 5 tablespoons
Turmeric powder a pinch
Chilli powder 1/2 tsp
Oil to deep fry

• Peel the bottle gourd and grate it finely.
• Sprinkle some salt this will release excess water out of the bottle gourd.Strain the water and use it for the gravy later.
• Add salt and chilli powder along with besan to the grated bottle gourd and mix well.Sprinkle some water if needed.
• Make small balls/koftas out of this mixture and deep fry to golden brown.Drain on kitchen towels.

To make the gravy

Whole spices to fry - Aniseeds/saunf,star anise one petal,cloves 2,cardamoms 2,cinnamon a small piece,coriander seeds 1 tablespoon

Onion 1 large

Green chilli 1
Tomato  1 large 

Ginger 1 inch piece

Garlic 4pods

Cashews 5-8 numbers

Coriander leaves to garnish
Coriander powder 1 tsp
Turmeric powder/haldi 1/4 tsp
Chilli powder 1/2 tsp or according to your tastes.

• Grind Onion, green chilli,ginger garlic, cashews to fine paste.
• Grind tomatoes to a fine paste adding some water.
• fry cumin and whole garam  masala in oil.
• Add the ground onions chilli paste let the raw smell of spices go away.
• Add tomato paste stir well for 3-4 mins.
• Add the water squeezed out of the grated bottle gourd.
• Add chilli powder, turmeric powder and coriander powder.
• Let the spices cook well and add enough water to make a gravy as per need.
• Add the fried koftas and cover and cook for 10 minutes

Lauki kofta curry is ready to be served with hot rotis or Jeera rice.