Lauki Kofta Curry - Ghiya Kofta Curry - Bottle Gourd Dumplings Curry

Lauki Kofta Curry is a delicious Indian gravy dish which mainly comprises of two parts - Gravy made from onion tomato base & dumplings made from mixture of Bottle gourd, gram flour & flavored with spices. These two mixed together & served make an excellent combination with Rice/Roti. The Lauki Kofta's (bottle gourd dumplings) on their own can be enjoyed as appetizers or as evening snacks with tea. This is one of those two in one recipes where you can enjoy it as appetizer or as entree/main-course. 

Lauki  (Bottle gourd) is also known as Ghiya or Doodhi.  I know many who don't like bottle gourd as a vegetable on its own especially kids. Its just the way this veggie looks & tastes I guess that doesn't really appeal to many. But try serving this veggie using this recipe, bet you will be asked for a more servings. This recipe is exotic so its perfect for a regular lunch dinner or even to be included on party menus.

Now to the recipe....

Ingredients: 

For Kofta's (16-20 Koftas)

1 Bottle gourd (Lauki/ghiya)
2-3 tablespoon of gram flour (besan)
1 tablespoon of rice flour 
1 green chilli finely chopped (or to taste)
1 teaspoon of ginger paste
1 teaspoon garlic paste
¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon red chilli powder (or to taste)
1 tablespoon coriander powder
½ teaspoon cumin seeds powder 
1 teaspoon of dry mango powder (Amchur)
¼ teaspoon garam masala (or to taste)
salt to taste
1-2 tablespoon of finely chopped coriander
Oil for deep frying

For Curry: 
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon of cumin seeds (zeera)
1 medium sized onion finely chopped
1 teaspoon ginger paste
1 teaspoon garlic paste
2 tablespoon of tomato paste (or 1 cup of tomato puree)
¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
1 teaspoon red chilli powder (or to taste)
1 tablespoon coriander powder
½ teaspoon cumin seeds powder 
1 tablespoon of tomato ketchup (optional)
¼ teaspoon garam masala (or to taste)
¼ cup of cream (you can skip this to make it vegan)
salt to taste
few finely chopped coriander leaves
2 tablespoon of Oil for cooking

Method: 

For making Lauki Kofta's:

Peel and cut the bottle gourd into half and then grate it or you could make small pieces of it and add those to the food processor to get the grated like consistency. Once you grate/chop it finely using a food processor, bottle gourd will start leaving water. So take small portions of this grated bottle gourd and press between palms to remove the excess water. Keep in a separate bowl. Continue this process with the remaining grated bottle gourd. Got approximately 1 and half cups packed of grated and squeezed bottle gourd. 

Mix all ingredients in to a bowl except oil & combine well. Make small-medium sized round balls. 

Deep fry these kofta's till they turn nice & golden brown in color. Strain & remove on absorbent paper to soak any excess oil. Keep aside. 
Add more gram flour if you are unable to make balls with the combined mixture. Bottle gourd has a tendency to leave water so work quickly to make balls & fry once the mixture is mixed. 

For making Curry: 

Heat oil in a pan & once hot add the bay leaf followed by cumin seeds. Once the cumin seeds start spluttering add onions & saute till they turn translucent. Then add the ginger garlic paste & saute till raw garlic smell disappears. Now add the tomato paste & mix well. Then add the turmeric, red chilli, coriander,cumin seeds powder & salt. Mix well. 

Add 1 & ½ cup of water & allow to come to a boil. Then add the garam masala followed by cream & mix. Simmer for 5 mins then add the coriander leaves. (Adjust the curry consistency if required by adding ½ cup of water at a time.)

That's it our gravy is ready. Just before serving add the Kofta's to the curry & bring to a quick boil or simmer for 5 mins so that the gravy gets absorbed into the Kofta's. Don't mix the Kofta's with the gravy for a long time as they will turn soggy & start breaking. Garnish with some coriander & cream & serve. 

That's it, our Lauki Kofta Curry-Bottle Gourd Dumplings Curry is ready, Serve it hot with Rice or Naan/Roti/Chapati/Any Indian bread of your choice. 

Enjoy these yummy Kofta's on their own as appetizers with some ketchup & Green Chutney

Happy Cooking!!
Shweta