Lauki Raita Recipe - The Cooling Side Dish
Lauki Raita is a creamy and cooling Indian side dish made with bottle gourd (lauki), yoghurt, and spices. Its texture is soft and juicy, with aromatic flavours—a perfect pairing with biryani, pulao, flatbreads, and a side dish of dals and curries.
Ingredients
- 1 medium bottle gourd
- 1 cup fresh yogurt
- 1 tsp black salt
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1 tsp mint powder
- ½ tsp red chilli powder
- ¼ tsp garam masala
- 1½ cup water
Instructions
- Take a fresh bottle gourd, peel its skin, and wash it in clean water. Grate it in a bowl.
- Now add grated bottle gourd to a fry pan with 1.5 cups of water.
- Cook it on high heat until they are soft and tender.
- When they are properly cooked, turn off the flame.
- Transfer the boiled bottle gourd to a strainer to drain excess water.
- When they are a little cool, squeeze the remaining water from them.
- Whisk the chilled curd in a mixing bowl.
- Now add a squeezed bottle gourd and all spices.
- Mix all the ingredients well, and the raita is ready.
- Serve it with roti and paratha.
Notes
- Cook the lauki just until tender.
- Before mixing in the curd, let the bottle gourd cool down completely.
- Use thick fresh curd for a creamy or rich ghiya raita.
- Adjust spices according to your taste preferences.
- Add some coriander leaves for a refreshing taste.
- Chilled it for an hour before serving.