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    Home >> Recipes >> Entrees

    Lauki Kofta Curry

    Published: Mar 22, 2019 · Modified: Jun 9, 2023 by Jyoti Behrani · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

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    Lauki kofta curry or Bottle gourd dumplings curry is a very popular recipe from North Indian Cuisine. Lauki Kofta or bottle gourd dumplings are immersed in flavorful onion and tomato base sauce and served with some Indian flatbread. This recipe is VEGAN, GLUTEN-FREE.

     

     

    LAUKI KOFTA CURRY

    Lauki kofta curry is a very delicious preparation of kofta or dumplings made with bottle gourd or lauki, chickpea flour, and some Indian spices.

    Traditionally, these koftas or dumplings are deep fried and immersed in onion and tomato base sauce. A very unique and delicious dish made with lauki or bottle gourd.

    My husband loves lauki kofta curry and I make this yummy kofta curry almost every month. I prefer the non-fried version of this recipe, thus keeping it light and healthy for our palate.

    I make these koftas in appam pan (ebelskiver pan) or even sometimes air fry these koftas. These kotas turn out so delicious.

    I bet you won't be able to differentiate between the fried and non-fried koftas, the only difference is that these are so much healthier than the traditional ones without compromising on their taste or flavors. Now, this is what I call guilt-free eating.

    Though these koftas taste great immersed in the sauce, they also make a great healthy snack or appetizer too. I make a batch of these koftas, add some to the sauce, and save some for later to serve as an appetizer.

     

     

    INGREDIENTS FOR LAUKI KOFTA CURRY

    FOR LAUKI KOFTA

    1 medium lauki /bottle gourd, medium grated, (grated lauki around 1 ½ cups)

    ⅓-1/2 cup BESAN (chickpea flour), as needed

    1 teaspoon ginger, grated

    1-2 green chili, chopped (as per taste)

    A 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, as per taste

    salt to taste

    FOR LAUKI KOFTA GRAVY (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, as per taste

    ¼ teaspoon TURMERIC POWDER

    1 ½ cup water + reserved liquid from lauki

    ¼ teaspoon GARAM MASALA

    3 tablespoon oil

    salt to taste

    FOR GARNISH

    A handful of fresh cilantro, chopped

     

     

    HOW TO MAKE LAUKI KOFTA CURRY

    Lauki kofta curry mainly has two main components. Firstly, koftas are made using lauki or bottle gourd, and secondly the sauce or gravy in which these koftas are immersed and served.

    DIRECTIONS FOR LAUKI KOFTA

    Wash and peel lauki. Medium grate the lauki using a grater.

    On a bowl, place a clean kitchen towel, add the grated lauki and squeeze any extra liquid from the lauki.

    Reserve this liquid for later use (we will use this liquid in the sauce).

    In another bowl add the grated lauki, besan or chickpea flour, ginger, green chili, and dry spices and mix well to form a semi-stiff dough.

    You should be able to make small balls out of this dough, if required add more chickpea flour.

    Divide the dough into small portions (around 16 portions) and roll it into small balls.

    Now you can choose to make these koftas traditionally by deep frying or choose a healthier option. Either air fry or make these koftas in appam pan, also known as paniyaram or ebelskiver pan.

    DIRECTIONS FOR KOFTA USING EBELSKIVER PAN (APPAM PAN)

    Heat the appe pan on 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.

    Pic. shown below making koftas using appam (ebelskiver) pan.

     

     

    HOW TO AIR FRY LAUKI KOFTA

    You will need - GOURMIA AIR FRYER, PARCHMENT PAPER

    Take a piece of parchment paper/butter paper and make some slits.

    Place the parchment paper in an air fryer basket and spray it with some cooking oil.

    Arrange the prepared lauki balls on the parchment paper.

    Set temperature to 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 them with cooking oil, and air fry them 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 a few more minutes and cook until the koftas are done.

    DIRECTIONS FOR LAUKI KOFTA CURRY

    I like to make the sauce for koftas in Instant Pot. But you can make it on a stovetop too (Please check out the recipe for stove top instructions).

    INSTANT POT SAUCE FOR LAUKI KOFTA 

    Turn the Instant Pot on saute mode (high), when it displays "HOT", add oil, cumin seeds, and onion. Saute for 5-7 minutes or until onions are slightly brown.

    Add tomatoes and dry spices, and saute for 2-3 minutes. Add water and reserved liquid from the koftas. Note: Water + reserve liquid = 1 ½ cups liquid total. 

    Turn off saute mode. Close Instant Pot with a vent on sealing. Turn on the manual /pressure cook (high) for 5 minutes. Let pressure release naturally.

    Open the Instant Pot,  and bring the mixture to a boil. Turn off the Instant Pot.

    Add the koftas, and garam masala, cover, and let the koftas soak in the sauce for 10 minutes. This step is important, koftas absorb all the flavor from the sauce and also become soft and moist.

    Garnish with some fresh cilantro and serve with some Indian bread - roti, paratha, or naan. Enjoy!! ?

     

     

    STOVETOP SAUCE FOR LAUKI KOFTA

    Follow the recipe discussed. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat to medium, cover and cook for 5-7 minutes. The rest of the steps remain the same as Instant Pot.

    TIPS FOR THE DELICIOUS LAUKI KOFTA CURRY

    The taste of any dish solely depends upon the ingredients used. Using fresh ingredients is always the key to a healthy and flavorful dish.

    Picking of lauki or bottle gourd can sometimes be tricky. Choose a lauki that is firm from the outside and most importantly firm from the center.

    Medium grate the lauki for the best result.

    Remember to squeeze the lauki for extra liquid before making the koftas. Reserve the liquid to be used later for preparing the sauce.

    Do not keep the grated lauki for long, use it immediately for making the koftas.

    No need to add any extra water while making the koftas, the moisture in the lauki helps bind the dough.

    Koftas absorb flavors from the sauce, season the sauce well.

    Koftas can be prepared a day ahead and be used the next day in the sauce.

    Sauce and koftas can be reserved separately. Add the koftas to the sauce just before serving.

    Koftas do tend to soak up all the liquid many times leaving curry without any sauce. If it happens so, then add some water to the sauce to dilute it.

     

     

    SERVING SUGGESTIONS FOR LAUKI KOFTA CURRY

    Lauki Kofta Curry is best served with some Indian flatbread - roti, paratha, or naan.

    HOW TO STORE LAUKI KOFTA CURRY

    Lauki Kofta curry stays fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. I normally store the koftas and the sauce separately. Reheat the sauce, add the koftas and serve.

    Lauki Kofta freezes well too. You can freeze it for up to 2 months. Just freeze koftas and sauce separately in freezer safe containers. Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight, heat the sauce, add the koftas and serve.

     

     

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    Lauki Kofta Curry / Bottle gourd Dumplings Curry

    Jyoti Behrani
    Lauki kofta curry or Bottle gourd dumplings curry is a very popular recipe from North Indian Cuisine. Lauki Kofta or bottle gourd dumplings are immersed into flavorful onion and tomato base sauce and served with some Indian flatbread!!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 35 minutes mins
    Course entrees
    Cuisine Indian
    Servings 4
    Calories 164 kcal

    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

    Other Ingredients (For Air Fryer):

    • PARCHMENT PAPER / Butter paper
    • Cooking spray

    Instructions
     

    Instructions for Kofta:

    • BOX GRATER
    • 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):

    • EBELSIVER 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:

    • You will need - GOURMIA 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.

    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 FOR THE DELICIOUS LAUKI KOFTA CURRY - please refer to the post discussed earlier.
    6. HOW TO STORE LAUKI KOFTA CURRY- please refer to the post discussed earlier.
    7. 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
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    KEYWORD

    lauki,bottle gourd,lauki kofta,kofte,instant pot,instant pot recipes,indian,healthy recipes,vegan,dairy-free,nut-free,vegetarian,

     

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dolly says

      January 20, 2020 at 10:57 am

      5 stars
      I need to buy appam pan just for this stayed away from Koftas because of deep frying. Will also use courgettes/Zuchinni as lauki is not always available.

      Log in to Reply
      • Jyoti Behrani says

        January 21, 2020 at 1:23 am

        Hi Dolly, Zuchinni is a great alternative to lauki (bottle gourd), works great in this recipe. I am so glad you liked my recipe. Thank you for your feedback!

        Log in to Reply

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