Lauki ke Pakode | Doodhi ke Pakode | Bottle Gourd Fritters

Bottle gourd (lauki or doodhi) is one vegetable which very few people like. This dish will make you love it. Lauki ke pakode is a spicy deep-fried appetizer.

Lauki ke Pakode

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Serves: 4 people

Ingredients:

1 fresh small sized bottle gourd, peeled and sliced into circles 

200 gm chickpea flour (besan flour)

1/2 tsp chili powder

150 ml water

salt to taste

500 ml oil for frying

Method:

1. Take a bowl. Mix the chickpea flour, chili powder and salt. 
2. Add water to make a smooth batter. The batter should be of pouring consistency.
3. Take a large pan and put oil into it. Heat over a high heat.
4. Once the oil is heated, put the bottle gourd slices into the batter and apply batter all over it. Carefully drop the slices (bhaji) into the oil. 
5. Keep the oil on high flame while dropping the bhaji. Take care not to overcrowd the pan with bhaji otherwise they will stick to each other.
6. Fry them from both sides. Reduce the flame to medium and fry them until they are golden brown. Since the slices are thin, they get cooked quickly.
7. Remove the fried bhaji with a slotted spoon. Allow the extra oil from bhaji to drain on a tissue paper covered plate.
8. Fry the remaining batter in batches.
9. Serve it with tomato sauce or coriander chutney or tamarind chutney for dipping.