Healthier version of Bottle Gourd/ Lauki Kofta

Bottle  gourd/ Lauki is something that took me a really long time to develop the taste for. Growing up, I definitely didn’t like it much. Sumit on the other hand devours it. Therefore, I cook it often, and the kids now like it and have developed a taste for it. Of course, it helps, since they think it’s 'Cucumber Sabzi'

Sadly, we don’t get bottle gourd/ lauki closer to where we live, so recently, Sumit went to the Indian Store and got me my 'Lauki' I was so excited, I said: Fine, let’s make the Kofta.

But keeping 'MyFitness Pal' in mind, I didn’t want to fry the kofta, so here is my modified version... still very delicious, much quicker and above all healthier

For Kofta:

1. Grate 1 medium Lauki

2. Finely chopped onion: 1/4 cup

3. 1/4 tsp finely chopped ginger

4. Spices: Salt, Chili, 1 Pinch: Ajwain, Poppy Seeds, Saunf

5. Chick Pea Flour: 3-4 tsp

6.  Oil for cooking

To make kofta:

1. Squeeze the lauki to remove excess water, save the water.

2. Add all the remaining ingredients except oil, The batter should be thick so the shape stays, make: 10 round balls

3. In an 'appa' pan/ a cake pop pan/ on simple skillet: Heat one tsp of oil, Add the round balls. Cover and let them cook

4. In about 2-3 minutes, turn sides to cook on the other side

5. In about 2-3 minutes: the crisp Lauki kofta are ready!

Note: If you make on skillet, the kofta will be like 'Patty' and not round, which is fine; it still tastes delicious.

For Gravy

1. 3/4 cup finely chopped onion

2. 1 cup Tomato: chopped

3. 1 clove garlic

4. Green Chili: Per taste

5. Carrots chopped: 1/2 cup

6. Spices: 1 tsp Jeera, Salt, 1/4 tsp Haldi, 1/4 tsp Red Chilli Powder, 1 tsp Jeera powder

To make Gravy:

1. In a skillet, warm oil

2. Add all spices except salt,

3. Add Onion, Garlic and Ginger; Sautee for 2-3 minutes

4. When onion is translucent, add the tomato and carrots and reduce the flame and let it cook for 8-10 minutes

5. When tomato is all cooked (in a mushy pulp); remove from flame and let it cook down

6. I personally prefer a smooth gravy' so I put the gravy in the food processor and blend it in well

Note: Carrots are options, I like adding vegetables to my gravy to enhance flavors and more nutrition

Assembling:

In the serving dish, add the gravy, then the kofta, then sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro and enjoy!!!

This goes really well with 'Paratha/ Roti or even Rice'