Kaddu/Lauki/Doodhi Ke Kofte (Bottle Gourd Dumplings)

 

Kaddu/Lauki/Doodhi Ke Kofte (Bottle Gourd Dumplings)

Doodhi is not everyone's favourite vegetable but Doodhi Ke Kofte can surely change this perception of many people. It is simple yet tasty dish. It is a main course dish. This is best served with hot Chapatis/Naans/Jeera Rice.

What you'll need:

 For Koftas - 

1. Bottle Gourd (Kaddu/Lauki/Doodhi) - 200 grams
2. Chopped Green Chillies - 2 or as per taste
3. Ginger Garlic Paste - ½ tsp
4. Chopped Coriander Leaves - 1 tbsp
5. Gram Flour (Besan) - 4 to 5 tbsp
6. Asafoetida (Hing) - ¼ tsp
7. Turmeric Powder (Haldi Powder) - ¼ tsp
8. Kashmiri Red Chilly Powder - ½ tsp
9. Salt - As per taste
10. Baking Soda - 1 to 2 pinches
11. Oil for Frying/Shallow Frying

 For Gravy - 

1. Oil - 2 tbsp
2. Cumin Seeds (Jeera) - ½ tsp
3. Chopped Garlic Cloves - 5 to 6
4. Chopped Ginger - ½ tsp
5. Chopped Green Chillies - As per taste
6. Sliced Onions - 2 (Medium sized)
7. Chopped Tomatoes - 3
8. Asafoetida (Hing) - ½ tsp
9. Red Chilly Powder - 1 tsp 
10. Turmeric Powder (Haldi Powder) - ½ tsp
11. Coriander Powder - 1 tsp
12. Salt - As per taste
13. Sugar - ½ tsp (Optional)
14. Water - As needed

 For Garnishing - 

1. Coriander Leaves - 2 tsp

How to make?

 For Koftas - 

• Firstly, peel the Bottle Gourd (Kaddu/Lauki/Doodhi) & grate it.
  
• Now, squeeze the grated Bottle Gourd (Kaddu/Lauki/Doodhi) & collect the juice in a bowl. Keep this juice aside for later use.
• Mix all the above mentioned ingredients for Kofta except Oil.
• Then, make small round shaped balls out of it.
• Now, heat oil in a pan & fry all the Koftas on medium flame till they turn crispy or golden brown from all sides.
• Then, remove these Koftas on a tissue paper to drain excess Oil.

 For Gravy - 

• Firstly, heat oil in a pan & add Cumin Seeds & let it crackle.
• Now, add Garlic, Ginger & Green Chilly & saute well.
• Now, add Onions & cook for 2-3 minutes till it turns transparent.
• Now, add Tomatoes & Salt & let it cook for 1-2 minutes.
• Now, turn off the flame & let the mixture cool down.
• After the mixture cools down completely, grind this mixture in a mixer.
• Now, put this churned mixture in the pan again & add Asafoetida (Hing), Red Chilly Powder, Turmeric Powder & Coriander Powder & mix well. Cook the mixture till it leaves the sides of the pan.
• Then, add the grated Bottle Gourd (Kaddu/Lauki/Doodhi) juice in the pan kept aside while preparing Koftas + 1 cup Water or as per requirement.
• Then, add Sugar & stir the mixture, cover it with a lid & let it simmer for 10-12 minutes on low to medium flame.
• After 10-12 minutes, add the Koftas in the gravy, cover it again with a lid & let the Koftas sit in the gravy for few minutes so that they absorb the gravy flavour. 
• Lastly, garnish your Kaddu/Lauki/Doodhi Koftas (Bottle Gourd Dumplings) with Coriander Leaves.
• Finally, your Kaddu/Lauki/Doodhi Ke Kofte (Bottle Gourd Dumplings) are ready to be served hot with Chapatis/Naans/Jeera Rice.

Tip: For better results, add Koftas in the gravy 5-10 minutes before serving.

Enjoy this delicious Kaddu/Lauki/Doodhi Ke Kofte (Bottle Gourd Dumplings)!