Bottle gourd kofta curry ( Lauki ke Kofte)

Lauki ke Kofte 

A Wholesome Bowl of Comfort

There’s a quiet kind of joy that comes from preparing a traditional dish like Lauki ke Kofte—a dish that transforms a humble vegetable into something truly special. Growing up, this recipe was a gentle reminder that food doesn’t need to be rich or extravagant to be deeply satisfying. The soft, spiced dumplings soaked in a rich, flavorful curry made even an ordinary day feel festive. My mother would often prepare it on Sundays or during special family lunches and the aroma of frying koftas would fill the house with warmth.

Soft, golden dumplings of bottle gourd simmered in a flavorful, spiced gravy—this was our definition of comfort food. Whether served with soft chapatis or steamed rice, this dish never failed to win hearts around the table. It’s one of those recipes where each step is worth the time and every bite brings back memories. So if you're looking for a soulful vegetarian dish that’s full of traditional flavors, Lauki ke Kofte is a classic worth recreating.

Lauki ke Kofte Recipe

A traditional North Indian curry made with spiced bottle gourd dumplings simmered in a flavorful gravy.

Ingredients

For Koftas:

• Bottle gourd (lauki): 1 medium (approx. 400 g)
• Gram flour (besan): 2–3 tbsp
• Red chilli powder: ½ tsp
• Turmeric powder: ½ tsp
• Asafoetida: a pinch
• Salt: to tasteRefined oil: for deep frying

For Gravy/Curry:

• Onion: 2 large
• Garlic: 10–12 cloves
• Ginger: 2-inch piece
• Tomato: 2 large
• Bay leaves: 2–3
• Cinnamon: 1-inch stick
• Black pepper: 7–8
• Turmeric powder: ½ tsp
• Red chilli powder: ¾ tsp
• Coriander powder: 1½ tbsp
• Roasted cumin powder: ½ tsp
• Garam masala powder: ½ tsp
• Asafoetida: a pinch
• Salt: to taste
• Refined oil: 2 tbsp

For Garnishing

Finely chopped green coriander leaves - 2 Tbsp 

Instructions

Preparation:

• Grate the bottle gourd. Squeeze gently if it releases excess water.
• Make a thick paste by blending onion, garlic, and ginger.
• Puree the tomatoes separately and keep aside.

Preparing the Kofta Dumplings

• In a mixing bowl, combine grated bottle gourd, 2 tsp of the onion-ginger-garlic paste, gram flour, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, salt and asafoetida.

• Mix gently. Gram flour is used for binding. Don’t use too much. Less you use it, more soft kofta would be made. But be sure it has to take the shape. Use just enough gram flour for binding so the koftas remain soft.
• Heat refined oil in a kadai or deep pan. Reduce flame to low.
• Drop small portions of the batter into the hot oil to form koftas.
• Fry till golden brown. 
• Strain it with a skimmer and place on napkin to absorb excess oil. Keep aside. 
  

Preparing the Gravy

• Heat 2 tbsp oil in a heavy-bottomed pan. Add bay leaves, black pepper and cinnamon.
• Add the onion-ginger-garlic paste and sauté well until oil starts to separate.
• Add turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder, salt, roasted cumin powder and a pinch of asafoetida. Mix well.
• Add tomato puree. Cook until the masala turns rich and oil separates.
• Add 2 cups of water and let it simmer for 10–12 minutes.
• Sprinkle garam masala powder. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Combining Koftas and Gravy

• Just before serving, add the koftas to the hot gravy and bring to a gentle boil.
• Garnish with fresh coriander.

Serving the Dish

• Serve hot with chapati, paratha or rice. 
• Pair it with a side of fresh salad or pickles to enhance the overall flavor experience.

Recipe Notes For Lauki ke Kofte

🌿 Keep Koftas Soft:

Use minimal gram flour—just enough to bind. This helps keep the koftas soft and delicate.

🧄 Handle Koftas Gently:

Koftas are tender and may break easily if stirred too much. Add them gently to the gravy and avoid overmixing.

🍲 Assemble Before Serving:

For best texture, keep koftas and curry separate. Combine just before serving to avoid soaking up too much gravy.

🫙 Versatile Pairing:

This curry goes beautifully with roti, paratha or even plain steamed rice.

⏱️ Cooking & Preparation Time

• Preparation Time: 15–20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 25–30 minutes
• Total Time: Approximately 45–50 minutes
• Serves: 5–6 persons
• Yields: Around 15–20 koftas, depending on size

💬 Tried this recipe?

If you enjoyed making Lauki ke Kofte, do let me know in the comments below! Your feedback means a lot.

👍 Like, share & support

Don’t forget to like, comment and share this recipe with your friends and family. It encourages me to bring you more such traditional delights.

📝 Stay connected

Follow my blog Aroma from the Kitchen for more tried-and-tested, homestyle Indian recipes straight from my kitchen to yours.

Happy Cooking! 🍲