Lauki Ka Kofta

Ingredients
For Koftas :
Peel the gourd and remove the core
grated lauki (sorakkai) - 2 cups, firmly packed
green chillies - 2-3, finely chopped
ginger - 1 tsp, minced
besan (chick peas flour) - to bind
oil to fry
salt to taste

For Gravy :
oil - 4 tbsp
onion - 1 ½ cup, finely sliced
ginger-garlic paste - 2 tsp
chilli powder - 1 tsp
turmeric powder - ½ tsp
tomatoes - 1 ½ cup
garam masala powder - 1 tsp
fresh cream or malai to garnish
salt to taste

Method
For Koftas :
Add salt to lauki and keep aside for 10 minutes. Drain out the juice and reserve.
Add chillies, ginger and enough besan to bind .
Shape into lime size balls and deep fry in moderately hot oil (take care to ensure that
koftas are not raw in the centre).

For Gravy :
Heat oil and fry onions till dark brown.
Add ginger-garlic paste and fry well. Add chilli and turmeric powder.
Fry for ½ minute. Add tomatoes and fry till oil separates.
Add garam masala and remove from fire.
Cool the mixture and grind to a paste, using the lauki juice.
Add water if necessary to form a creamy gravy.
Add salt. (The lauki juice is salted .So taste and add salt only if needed).
Just before serving, simmer the gravy for 5 minutes and pour over the koftas.
Garnish with cream or malai.