Delicious Bottle Gourd Koftas Recipe Everyone Will Love
Introduction to Bottle Gourd Koftas
Bottle gourd is often a vegetable that children and many adults tend to avoid. However, when transformed into 'bottle gourd koftas' (dumplings), it becomes a delightful dish that appeals to all. These koftas are particularly cherished in North India for their soft and flavorful texture. Let’s explore how to prepare these tasty bottle gourd koftas.
Ingredients Needed
For the Koftas:
Bottle gourd - 500 grams (peeled and grated)
Gram flour (besan) - 1 cup (adjust as necessary)
Green chilies - 2, finely chopped
Ginger - 1-inch piece (grated)
Spices - ½ teaspoon turmeric powder, red chili powder, and garam masala.
Salt - to taste
Oil - for frying
For the Gravy:
Onions - 2 medium (pureed)
Tomatoes - 2-3 medium (pureed)
Ginger-garlic paste - 1 tablespoon
Yogurt - 2 tablespoons (whipped)
Whole spices - 1 bay leaf, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 cardamom pods, ½ teaspoon cumin seeds.
Ground spices - 1 teaspoon coriander powder, ½ teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder, ½ teaspoon garam masala.
Fresh coriander leaves - finely chopped (for garnish)
Preparation Steps
Instructions:
Begin by squeezing the grated bottle gourd to eliminate excess moisture. Save this liquid for later use in the gravy.
Combine the bottle gourd with gram flour, green chilies, ginger, and all the dry spices. Add salt just before frying to prevent the bottle gourd from releasing too much water. Form small balls and fry them in hot oil over medium heat until they turn golden brown.
In a separate pan, heat two tablespoons of oil and add cumin seeds, bay leaf, and cinnamon stick. Incorporate the onion paste and sauté until it turns golden. Then, add the ginger-garlic paste and cook until the raw aroma dissipates.
Next, mix in the tomato paste along with the dry spices (turmeric, chili powder, coriander powder). Cook until the oil separates from the mixture. Lower the heat and gradually add the whisked yogurt, stirring continuously to avoid curdling.
Final Steps
Now, pour in the water extracted from the bottle gourd along with additional water as needed. Once the gravy reaches a boil, season with salt and allow it to simmer for 5-7 minutes.
As the gravy thickens, gently add the fried koftas and sprinkle garam masala on top. Cover and let it cook on low heat for 2 minutes, allowing the koftas to soak up the flavors. Finally, garnish with freshly chopped coriander leaves.
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