Lauki Pakoda | Dudhi Bhajiya | Bottlegourd Fritters

Lauki (bottle gourd) bhajiya is one of the popular pakoda in our home, since my dad don't eat potato so bottle gourd fritters gets featured a lot. As a kid I was not a very big fan of dudhi bhajiya we would remove the bottle gourd/dudhi pieces from pakoda and eat the only the outer skin so my mom has to always make potato pakodas for us.  It's strange that most of the things we use to dislike a kid start to be fond of it in our life later I have numerous things like that in my list and this lauki pakoda is one such item.  Now I don't remove the bottle gourd piece any more from the pakoda and in fact I like to eat this one.
If you get bored of your usual onion pakoda, potato pakoda, chilli pakodas then you should try this bottlegourd version.  It's almost like how we make aloo bajji and I add little of cilantro (coriander leaves) to bring more flavor as bottle gourd by itself is plain in taste.  I used bottom side of bottle gourd which was quite large so you can see I have these large fritters pieces if you use upper part or thin bottle gourd then you pakoda will be of same size we get of potato pakodas so choice is yours however you want to make or whatever type of bottlegourd/dudhi you choice, in any case it taste delicious.  If you using large size of bottlegourd then slice then in thin pieces otherwise it won't get cooked while we fry it so just keep that in mind.

Now that it's time to say good bye to summer, welcome monsoon season this pakodas are apt for this weather after all rain, pakoda and chai or coffee who doesn't love the combination? So enjoy these pakoda or bhajiya/bajji whatever you want to call it and the rain.  

Also check out bottle gourd chutney, raita and kheer recipes.

Lauki Pakoda | Dudhi Bhajiya

Author: Priti
Category: Snacks 
Cuisine: North Indian
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Cook time: 20 Minutes
Total time: 30 Minutes

Yields: 7-8 large bhajiyas

Ingredients:
Bottlegourd/Lauki/Dudhi - 1/2 piece 
Oil - For Deep Frying

For Batter
Chickpeas Flour/Besan - 1 & 1/2 Cups
Chilli Powder - 1 tsp
Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp
Cumin Powder - 1/2 tsp
Salt - To Taste
Soda-bi-Carb - 1/4 tsp
Chopped Coriander Leaves/Hara Dhaniya - 1 tbsp
Water - 1 Cup or as needed

Method:

1. Peel, wash and cut bottle gourd in thin roundels.
~ Slices has to thin otherwise it will not be cooked.
2. In a bowl add all the ingredients except water 'for batter' and mix well.

3.  Add water and mix well without forming any lumps to make thick batter. Keep aside for 10 minutes. Deep bottle gourd slice in batter to coat all sides well.

4. Meanwhile heat oil in a wok and drop bottle gourd piece in hot oil and fry until golden brown both sides in medium-slow flame. Repeat same for rest of pieces.
~ Don't fry in high flame or bottle gourd won't be cooked.
~ Since my bottle gourd pieces is large I fried one at a time, if you pieces are small then fry 4-5 in one batch.

Serve hot with tea/coffee or juice.

Have a nice day.