Go Back
–+ servings

Lauki Kofta Curry | Bottle gourd Dumplings Curry

Jyoti Behrani
Lauki kofta curry is a popular dish from North India. Kofta's are made with bottle gourd and immersed in flavorful onion-tomato sauce. Enjoy this kofta curry with Indian bread roti, or paratha.
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course entrees
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4
Calories 164 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
  

For Kofta:

  • 1 medium lauki /bottle gourd, medium grated , (grated lauki around 1 ½ cup)
  • ⅓-1/2 cup besan (chickpea flour), as needed
  • 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
  • 1-2 green chili, chopped (as per taste)
  • Handful of fresh cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds, crushed
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • ¼ teaspoon red chili powder
  • salt to taste

For Sauce:

  • 1 large onion, medium grated
  • 2 medium tomatoes, pureed or chopped
  • ½ inch ginger, grated
  • 1-2 green chili, chopped (as per taste)
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • ¼ teaspoon red chili powder
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • ¼ teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 ½ cup water + reserved liquid from lauki
  • 3 tablespoon oil
  • salt to taste

For Garnish:

  • Handful of fresh cilantro, chopped

Instructions
 

Instructions for Kofta:

  • Peel and grate lauki (bottle gourd).
    Note: Medium grate lauki for best results.
  • On a bowl, place a clean kitchen towel,  add the grated lauki and squeeze any extra liquid from the lauki. Reserve the liquid for later use.
    Note: We will use the reserved liquid for preparing the sauce.
  • Place the squeezed lauki in another bowl. Add chickpea flour, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, ginger, green chili (optional), fresh cilantro, dry spices - coriander powder, red chili powder, turmeric and salt to taste.
  • Mix well to form a semi-stiff dough.
    Note: You should be able to form balls from the dough, if required add more besan to form a dough.
  • Divide the dough into equal portions (around 16). Shape the dough into round balls.
  • Follow instructions for Air Fryer or Appe Pan ( ebelskiver pan).

Instructions for Kofta - Appe Pan (ebelskiver pan):

  • Ebelskiver Pan (appam pan)
  • Heat the appe pan on a medium to low heat. Grease all the cavities with little oil (around 4-5 drops of oil into each cavity)
  • Gently place the balls into the cavity. No need to cover the pan.
  • Cook for 4-5 minutes or until golden brown. Gently flip the balls and cook on the other side for 4-5 minutes or until cooked. Note: Insert a toothpick in the center of the ball, if it comes out clean, means the balls are cooked.
  • Repeat the process with the remaining balls. Keep it aside.

Instructions for Kofta - Air Fryer:

  • Take a piece of parchment paper/butter paper and make some slits.
  • Place the parchment paper in air fryer basket and spray with some cooking oil.
  • Arrange the prepared lauki balls on the parchment paper.
  • Set temperature 350 F for 8 minutes. Place the air fryer basket and start the air fryer.
  • After 8 minutes, flip the sides of the balls, spray with cooking oil, and air fry for 8 minutes.
  • Depending upon the size and moisture in the koftas, time will vary. Check if Koftas are done. 
    Note: Insert a toothpick in the center of the ball, if it comes out clean, means the balls are cooked. If required add few more minutes and cook until koftas are done.

Instructions for Sauce - Instant Pot Cooking:

  • Turn on Instant Pot on saute mode (high). When it displays "HOT", add oil, cumin seeds, onion. Saute for 5-7 minutes or until onions turn slightly brown, stir occasionally.
  • Add tomatoes, ginger, green chili (optional), dry spices - coriander powder, turmeric, red chili powder, and salt to taste. Mix well. Saute for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add water and reserved liquid from the lauki, mix well. Turn off saute mode.
  • Set Instant Pot on Manual/Pressure Cook mode (high) for 5 minutes. Let pressure release naturally, around 10 minutes.
  • Open the Instant Pot. Turn on saute mode (high), bring the mixture to a boil. Turn off Instant Pot.
  • Add kofta and garam masala to the sauce, mix gently. Cover the pot for 5-10 minutes, let koftas absorb all the flavors from the sauce and soften.
    Note: Do NOT skip this step.
  • Garnish with some fresh cilantro. Enjoy Lauki Kofta Curry with some Indian flatbread - roti, paratha or naan.

Video

Notes

  1. I prefer to grate the veggies - onions, ginger, but you can chop the veggies too.
  2. Medium grate lauki for best result. Fine grate lauki releases too much moisture, and it gets hard to bind it into a dough.
  3. Cook koftas on medium to low heat for even cooking.
  4. Instructions for Sauce - Stove Top Cooking, follow the recipe discussed. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to medium, cover and cook for 5-7 mins. Rest of the steps remain the same as Instant Pot.
  5. Tips, Storage - please refer to the post discussed earlier.
  6. I prefer onion-tomato sauce for this curry. You can make this sauce with just tomatoes only.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Lauki Kofta Curry | Bottle gourd Dumplings Curry
Serving Size
 
4
Amount per Serving
Calories
164
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
12
g
18
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Trans Fat
 
0.04
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
7
g
Sodium
 
94
mg
4
%
Potassium
 
243
mg
7
%
Carbohydrates
 
13
g
4
%
Fiber
 
4
g
17
%
Sugar
 
4
g
4
%
Protein
 
3
g
6
%
Vitamin A
 
343
IU
7
%
Vitamin C
 
9
mg
11
%
Calcium
 
33
mg
3
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Disclaimer

Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

Tried this recipe?Mention @livingsmartandhealthy or tag #livingsmartandhealthy
Follow Me On PinterestFollow @livingsmartandhealthy!