Lauki Ke Kofte | Bottle Gourd Kofta Curry

Ingredients for the gravy:

• 2 tbsp Ghee (clarified butter)
• 1 tsp Jeera (cumin seeds)
• 1 tsp Ginger, finely chopped
• 1/4cup (50 gms) Dahi (yogurt), beaten smooth
• 1/4 cup Khus-khus (poppy seeds) soaked in milk for 1/2 hour
• 1 1/2 tsp Dhania (coriander) powder
• 1 1/2 tsp Sendha Namak (rock salt)
• 1/4 tsp Chilli powder
• Hara dhania (green coriander), chopped for garnishing

Ingredients for the kofte:

• 4 cups (500 gms) Ghiya or Lauki (bottle gourd), peeled and grated
• 1/2 tsp Ginger paste
• 1/2 tsp Sendha Namak (rock salt)
• 1/2 tsp Kali Mirch, Powdered(black pepper powder)
• 2 tbsp Singhare ka atta (water chestnut flour)
• Oil for deep-frying

Method:

• Squeeze water out of the Ghiya; mix in salt, ginger, and black pepper. Sauté over a high flame, to dry up excess liquid and leave to cool.
• Add Singhare ka atta, mix well and shape into walnut-sized balls.
• Deep-fry koftas to a golden brown over a high flame and keep aside.
• Heat ghee; add jeera followed by ginger and sauté to a light brown.
• Grind the khus-khus into a paste. Add dhania powder, salt, chili powder, and sauté till oil separates.
• Add 2-3 cups water and bring to a boil, then simmer for about 10 minutes. Add koftas and Dahi, simmer for another 2 minutes, and serve hot.
• Garnish the Lauki Ke Kofte with Hara dhania.