LAUKI MASALA (SORRAKAI/BOTTLE GOURD) MASALA

Hi All, its been a while, life has turned very busy with a lot of new activities. The recipe I am going to share today has an interesting background. I had not used this vegetable much, I received a big piece from my good neighbor and that's when I decided to make something as a side for my Roti's. Lauki is also called Sorrakai in Tamil and Bottle Gourd in English. It releases a lot of water and is similar to white pumpkin with seeds and a thick outer skin. So, here it goes

LAUKI MASALA (Sorrakai Sabji)

INGREDIENTS

Lauki ( Sorrakai/Bottle Gourd): About 2 Cups diced into medium rectangles/squares

Onion: 1 Medium chopped

Tomato: 1 medium chopped into small cubes

Jeera ( Cumin seeds) : 1 Tsp

Green Chilli's: 2-3 slit into half

Ginger/Garlic: 1 Tsp each finely chopped

Turmeric: 1/8th Tsp

Red Chilli Powder: 1 Tsp

Jeera-Dhania Powder: 1 Tsp

Garam Masala: 1 Tsp

Curry leaves: 8-10

Salt and oil as required

Water: 1/2 cup

Lauki Masala

MAKING

In a kadai/pan, add oil ( 1-2 Tsp), once hot, add in the Jeera, Ginger and Garlic, Slit green chilli's and Curry leaves. Saute for a minute or two before adding in the Onions. Saute again for a few minutes until the onions turn translucent or light golden brown. Now add in the chopped tomatoes, after a couple of minutes add in the Turmeric, Red chilli powder, Jeera-Dhania Powder. Saute for a 3-4 minutes in low flame before adding the diced Lauki (Bottle Gourd/Sorrakai). Saute for a few more minutes, add the required salt and Garam Masala. Let it cook for a couple of minutes. Finally add in water and use a lid to close the kadai/pan.

Allow the Lauki to cook until the pieces turn soft and transparent. Do not overcook it to the extent that it gets mushy.

Garnish it with freshly chopped cilantro/coriander leaves.

TIPS/VARIATIONS

The Curry leaves gives a distinct taste. 

I used Thai Chillies which is bigger, less spicy and more flavorful.

I diced the Lauki into bigger pieces as smaller size has the risk of getting mushy when cooked.

This vegetable releases water hence do not add too much water for cooking the same.