Bottle gourd curry (Ghiye/Lauki ke kofte)

Ingredients:
For gourd balls (Kofta):
1 medium sized bottle gourd (Lauki)
Read more here: http://www.medindia.net/patients/lifestyleandwellness/nutritional-guard-bottle-gourd.htm

1/4 cup gram flour

Salt to taste

1 tsp cumin seeds

1 green chilly finely chopped

1 tsp oil

1 tbsp finely grated ginger

1 tsp red chilly powder 

For curry

1 medium onion
3-4 tomatoes
1-2 green chilly
1 tbsp ginger paste
1 tbsp garlic paste
1-2 bay leaves
Few whole black pepper
2-3 cinnamon sticks
2-3 cloves
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp red chilly powder
1 tsp garam masala
Salt to taste


Recipe:

1. Grate the bottle gourd.

2. Add the gram flour and other ingredients as mentioned above to make the balls.

 Add 1/2 cup gram flour, chopped green chillies, ginger, cumin seeds, red chilly powder (optional), salt to taste.

3. From the prepared batter take small portions and fry them in oil

4. Fry on both sides till golden brown. Keep them aside. I usually use the fritters I need and freeze the remaining until next use.

5. For the curry blend the onion, chilly, ginger and garlic to make a paste.

6. Splutter spices, cumin and mustard seeds. Add bay leaves, whole black pepper, few cinnamon sticks.

7. Add the onion paste and saute till golden brown.

8. Add turmeric, red chilly powder, coriander powder, salt.

9. Now blend the tomatoes and add the tomato puree. Cook until evenly cooked.

10. Add the fritters, and 1/2 cup water, cook for few minutes covered with lid.

11. Garnish with cilantro and serve with rotis and rice.