Lauki Kofta recipe

 Here's a delicious Lauki Kofta (Bottle Gourd Dumplings in Curry) recipe – a North Indian vegetarian favorite that's perfect with roti or rice.

🌿 Ingredients:

For Koftas (Fried Dumplings):

Lauki (Bottle Gourd) – 2 cups (peeled and grated)

Besan (Gram flour) – 4–5 tbsp

Green chili – 1 (finely chopped)

Ginger – 1 tsp (grated)

Ajwain (Carom seeds) – ½ tsp

Salt – to taste

Oil – for deep frying

For the Gravy:

Onion – 1 large (finely chopped or pureed)

Tomatoes – 2 (pureed)

Ginger-Garlic paste – 1 tsp

Green chili – 1 (optional, slit)

Cumin seeds – ½ tsp

Turmeric powder – ½ tsp

Red chili powder – 1 tsp

Coriander powder – 1½ tsp

Garam masala – ½ tsp

Kasuri methi (dry fenugreek leaves) – 1 tsp (crushed)

Salt – to taste

Oil – 2 tbsp

Water – as needed

Fresh coriander – for garnish

👩‍🍳 Method:

Step 1: Prepare the Koftas

1. Squeeze out excess water from the grated lauki (but save the water for gravy).

2. In a bowl, mix lauki, besan, green chili, ginger, ajwain, and salt to make a thick batter.

3. Heat oil in a kadai or deep pan. Drop small portions of the mixture into the oil using your hands or a spoon.

4. Fry until golden brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels.

Step 2: Make the Gravy

1. Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.

2. Add onion and sauté until golden brown.

3. Add ginger-garlic paste and sauté for a minute.

4. Add tomato puree, green chili, turmeric, red chili powder, coriander powder, and salt. Cook until oil separates.

5. Add reserved lauki water + additional water (total 1–1.5 cups). Simmer for 5–7 minutes.

6. Add kasuri methi and garam masala. Stir and cook another minute.

Step 3: Final Assembly

1. Add the koftas to the gravy just before serving to keep them crisp.

2. Garnish with chopped coriander.

📝 Tips:

For softer koftas, you can add a little grated pane

er.

For a healthier version, koftas can be air-fried or baked.