Lauki Kofta / Sorakai curry/ squash in a creamy gravy

As I scan the Indian grocery store, I used often wonder what to do with this vegetable. Thanks to my friend Sulbha, I was able to come up with this dish. Its rich & yummy.

Things we need

For the lauki balls

Lauki / Soraikai - peeled & grated - 3 cups

Besan / Chickpea flour - 1 cup

Salt

Cashews

Red Chilli powder

Turmeric powder

Ginger minced

Dry Mango powder

Corriander leaves chopped.

Oil to fry

Extract the water from the grated lauki & mix all of the above ingredients & lastly the besan four. Add enough to make small balls of it. Fry them in oil like a vada till they are golden brown & keep it aside.

For the gravy

Onions - 1/2 well chopped

Tomato - 2 pureed with 2 green chillies

Little ginger (or) Ginger garlic paste

Poppy seeds - 1 spoon soaked in water

Cashew - 5/6

Whole garam masala - Cardamon 1, cloves 2, cumin 1/4 spoon, corriander seeds 1/4 spoon, black pepper 4 , a very small pinch of nutmeg, 1 pinch cinnamon powder.

Cumin seeds - 1/2 spoon

Red chilli powder

Garam masala powder - 1/4 spoon

Turmeric powder

Dried Kasturi Methi

Milk / cream

Oil

Salt

In a kadai, take a little oil. When its hot fry the whole garam masala & the chopped onions. Take them out & grind them well with the soaked poppy seeds & cashew.

Then in the kadai, take a little oil. When hot add cumin seeds, ginger, then the tomato puree. Allow them cook well till the raw smell is gone. Add the Onion paste ,red chilli powder, turmeric powder, the garam masala powder & salt. Allow it to boil well. Now add the Kofta balls. & then add a little milk/ cream & crushed kasturi methi.

Kofta Curry is done. Its goes well with Chapatti, roti or naan , Veg pulav.

Have a wonderful meal..