Lauki Ka Kofta

Ingredients

• Bottle gourd (grated): ¾ cup
• Onion: 1 medium size
• Tomato: 1 medium size
• Bengal gram flour: 5 tsp
• Oil: 2 dsp (divided)
• Ginger paste: 1 tbsp
• Rice flour: 1 dsp
• Garlic paste: 1 tsp
• Coriander powder: 2 tsp
• Cumin seed powder: 1 tsp
• Green chilies: 1 piece
• Red chili powder: ½ tsp
• Turmeric powder: ¼ tsp
• Fenugreek seeds: ¼ tsp
• Black pepper powder: ¼ tsp
• Garam masala: ¼ tsp
• Salt: To taste

Method

1. Preparation:
   • Grate the bottle gourd.
   • Chop the green chilies, tomato, onion, and coriander leaves.
2. Make Koftas:
   • Mix grated bottle gourd with Bengal gram flour, rice flour, salt, and turmeric powder.
   • Divide the mixture into eight portions and shape into balls.
3. Fry Koftas:
   • Deep fry the balls in oil until golden brown on all sides.
   • Drain on paper towels and set aside.
4. Prepare Gravy:
   • Heat 1 dsp of oil in a pan.
   • Sauté the onion until golden brown.
   • Add ginger-garlic paste, spices, and salt. Cook for a few minutes.
   • Stir in the chopped tomato and cook until the moisture evaporates.
5. Simmer Gravy:
   • Add 1 cup of water to the pan and simmer until the gravy thickens slightly.
6. Combine and Serve:
   • Add the fried koftas to the gravy. Remove from heat.
   • Garnish with coriander leaves.
7. Enjoy:
   • Serve hot with rice or roti.

( Garden to Kitchen, Vigyan Prasar)