LAUKI KOFTA CURRY

Kofta is a fried ball, which can be made of minced meat, paneer or vegetables. Today I made kofta with grated Lauki (also called Ghiya / Dudhi / Bottle Gourd / Calabash). My mom used to make this kofta curry. My first impression of having this kofta was not good, as during my childhood I never liked this vegetable, hence mom used to do experiments so that we can relish this veg. The koftas are always yummy, just melted in the mouth. Nevertheless, gradually I started enjoying this super veggie. 

Ingredients

For the kofta

1. Grated bottle gourd - 2 cup
2. Besan / gram flour - 3-4 tsp
3. Garam masala powder - 1/3 tsp
4. Red chilli powder - 1/3 tsp
5. Green chilli (finely chopped) - 1
6. Salt as per taste
7. Oil for deep frying

For making the Masala paste

1. Tomatoes - 2 (chopped)
2. Onion - 1 (chopped)
3. Green chilli - 1-2 or as per taste
4. Ginger - 1 inch (chopped)
5. Garlic - 4-5 (chopped)
6. Cashew nuts - broken 2 tsp

Other ingredients for the curry

1. Cumin seeds - 1 tsp
2. Red chilli powder - 1/4 tsp
3. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
4. Coriander powder - 1 tsp
5. Garam masala powder - 1/2 tsp
6. Salt as per taste
7. Sugar as per taste (optional)
8. Oil - 2 tsp 

Process

1. Rinse and peel lauki and grate it. Sqeeze the grated lauki and collect juice in a bowl and keep aside for later use in the gravy.

2. Mix all the ingredients mentioned in (for the kofta) except oil. Make small balls or patties. Heat oil in a frying pan and fry the koftas till they are even golden browned from all the sides. Drain the fried kofta on tissues and keep aside.

3. Use fresh oil to make the gravy. Heat about 2 tsp oil and add the cumin seeds. Then add masala paste (For the masala paste, add all the ingredients mentioned under "masala paste" in a blender and make a smooth paste). Fry the masala for 5-7 minutes and add the powder spices. Stir continuously to fry the masala paste till it starts leaving oil from the sides. Now add the bottle gourd juice (that you have kept aside before) in this gravy and a half cup of water. Stir and simmer for 10-12 minutes. Lastly add kofta and switch off the flame. 

Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot with roti or rice.