Goan•healthy

dudhi bhopla bhaji

Dudhi chi bhaji recipe - easy Goan recipe of lauki (bottle gourd or opo squash) sabzi with coconut and other spices.

Ingredients

1.5 tbsp oil
400 g lauki (or 2.5 cups of chopped lauki (dudhi or bottle gourd or opo squash or ghiya))
1/3 cup fresh grated coconut
1 or 2 green chilies, (chopped (hari mirch))
1/2 cup chopped onion (or a medium sized onion)
1 pinch asafoetida ((hing))
salt as per taste

1
First rinse the dudhi (lauki) very well in water. Then peel it.
2
Chop the dudhi. Avoid chopping in small pieces. You will need about 2.5 cups of chopped lauki.
3
Heat 1.5 tablespoons oil in a pan. Keep the heat to a low.
4
Add ½ cup chopped onion. Saute and stir the onions for 2 to 3 minutes on a low flame.
5
Then add a generous pinch of asafoetida and mix well.
6
Now add a tablespoon of chopped green chilies. Again mix and stir well.
7
Saute the onions till they look translucent.
8
Then add the peeled, chopped dudhi (lauki or bottle gourd).
9
Sprinkle salt as required and mix well.
10
Cover with a lid, cook dudhi bhaji for 14 to 16 mins on a low flame or sim. Do check at intervals of 4 to 5 mins and then give a stir.
11
If the dudhi pieces are sticking on to the pan. Then add some water. Mix, cover with the lid and continue to cook.
12
After getting cooked, you will see that the dudhi pieces has softened, changed their color and texture. If the dudhi pieces still looks firm, then cover and cook, till they become soft.
13
Once the dudhi has softened and cooked well, add 1/3 cup of fresh grated coconut.
14
Stir and mix well.
15
Cook dudhi bhaji for 2 to 3 mins on a low heat.
16
Switch off the flame.
17
Serve dudhi bhopla bhaji with chapati or paratha as a side dish with your meals.