Lauki Paratha

Bottle gourd or lauki is a super healthy vegetable. Unfortunately it’s one of the most underrated and disliked vegetable too. The health benefits are many. Lauki helps in weight reduction, reduces inflammation of kidneys and liver. It has lot of minerals and water content. Bottle gourd helps to treat urinary tract infection. Drinking bottle gourd juice first thing in the

morning helps to flush out toxins from the body and aids in metabolism. Ayurveda even suggests that consuming bottle gourd regularly prevents premature greying of hair.

Generally, I make a one pot dish with bottle gourd and chana dal. But this time I have tried making a paratha using the same. You simply need to grate the bottle gourd and add spices of your choice and knead the flour using the moisture in the bottle gourd. Sprinkle some water only if necessary. You can add any herbs or spices that you like. The dough stays good in the refrigerator for 2-3 days if stored in good airtight containers. You can make any vegetable raita as an accompaniment or enjoy these yummy parathas with a chutney or pickle.

Ingredients:

• Whole wheat flour 1.5-2 cups
• Grated bottle gourd 1 cup
• Salt to taste
• Mint leaves a handful
• Turmeric powder 1/2 tsp
• Red chili powder 1/2 tsp
• Amchur powder 1/2 tsp
• Sesame seeds 1 tsp
• Cumin seeds 1/2 tsp
• Refined oil as required

Method:

• Add the flour in a big mixing bowl.
• Add the grated bottle gourd, salt, chopped mint leaves, turmeric powder, red chili powder, amchur powder, sesame seeds and cumin seeds.
• Mix well and sprinkle some water of required and knead into medium stiff dough. The dough will loosen a bit as it rests.
• Once the dough has rested for almost half an hour, roll it out into thick rotis.
• Heat an iron skillet or tawa and cook the parathas till it’s golden on both sides.
• Sprinkle oil or ghee while cooking.
• Serve it hot with any raita of your choice.