Lau Er Khosha Bhaja

Lau Er Khosha Bhaja literary translates to Bottle Gourd Peel Stir Fry. It is a humble side dish, typically paired with steamed white rice and lentil stew. It might sound interesting for some, probably even bizarre for others, but for most Bengali’s, this is an everyday comfort food.

What is Lau Er Khosha Bhaja?

Lau refers to bottle gourd, khosha refers to the peel and bhaja refers to stur fry in this case.

For the past several years since I left home, I have used bottle guard so many times in several different dishes. But I never used those peels. In the process of learning to cook, I forgot some of these simple dishes that I grew up eating.

Let's not forget that Peels are rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, making them one of the most nutritious parts of a plant. 

Bottle Gourd is a very commonly used vegetable in India, but I highly doubt anybody knows that the peel is perfectly edible and nutritional.

Next time you make kofta with bottle gourd, save those peels and make this simple Lauer Khosha Bhaja as a side dish.

Ingredients for Lau Er Khosha Bhaja?

Bottle Gourd Peel - You want to make sure the bottle gourd peels are bright green and not pale green. If it's pale and got lots of black mark, then don't use the peel and discard it. Or use only the portions that look fine.

Onion - Onions are optional. I do like the sweetness it adds to the dish, and you can choose to use it or not.

Nigella seeds and Bay leaves - The dish doesn’t call for heavy spices. Just some nigella seeds for that pungent kick, along with a couple of bay leaves.

Sun-dried lentil dumplings - Daler bodi as we call it in Bengali, are optional, and my Mom mostly omits it, but I like the texture it adds along with the earthy lentil aroma.

Simultaneously, you can omit these dumplings and just do a stir-fry with thinly sliced onions.

Steps to prepare

1- Peel using a knife so you get a thicker portion of the peel.

2- Stack the peel and slice into thin strips as shown in the picture.

3- Boil the peel with little salt until it's soft.

4- In a heavy bottom pan or a wok, add a little mustard oil and stir-fry the sun dried dumplings until it's mildly golden brown. Remove from the pan once done.

5- Next add the bay leaf and nigella seeds. Let it sizzle for a few seconds.

6- Scatter the sliced onion and add salt along with a little turmeric. Cook the onion until it's softened.

7- Add the boiled peels, along with the fried dumplings, and stir it around. Add little water, cover and let it simmer for few minutes.

8- Taste for salt and add more if needed. The peel shouldn't get too mushy as you cook it. You want the tender bite of the peel.

Enjoy warm with rice and lau diye bhaja mung daal.

FEW KEY POINTS TO KEEP IN MIND

This bottle gourd peel stir-fry tastes good with bottle gourds those are tender. Sometimes, depending on the size of the bottle gourd you buy, the peel might be more tough in texture.

In such case, you will have to boil the peel for longer before you stir-fry it.

Occasionally, I find really tiny tender bottle gourd, and for those, I don't even feel the need to boil the peel separately.

So, you need to make a call based on how tough the peels are.

HERE ARE FEW RECIPES YOU CAN TRY WITH BOTTLE GOURD

Lau Chingri

Badami Lauki Kofta

Lau Khosha Bhaja (Bottle Gourd Peel Stir Fry)

Kankana Saxena

Lau Er Khosha Bhaja literary translates to Bottle Gourd Peel Stir Fry. It is a humble side dish, typically paired with steamed white rice and lentil stew. It might sound interesting for some, probably even bizarre for others, but for most Bengali’s, this is an everyday comfort food.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Bengali

Calories 130 kcal

Ingredients

 

• 2 cups of bottle gourd peels
• 10-12 tiny dried lentil dumplings
• 1 dry red chili
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon nigella seeds
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
• ⅛ teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon oil

Instructions

 

• Using a sharp knife, slice the peels very thinly, almost like matchsticks.
• Pour enough water in a medium saucepan to boil the sliced peels. Place the pan in medium high heat and when the water is hot enough, sprinkle half of the salt and drop the sliced peels. Boil for 5 minutes and then drain it on a colander.
• Place another pan in medium heat and pour the oil. When the oil is hot enough, drop the dried lentil dumplings and fry them until they turn golden brown. Take it off in a bowl and keep it aside to be used later.
• In the same pan, add the bay leaves, dry red chili and nigella seeds. Allow it to sizzle for a few seconds and then, drop the boiled peels. Sprinkle rest of the salt, turmeric and give it a stir. Cover the pan and allow it to simmer for 5 minutes. Then, take off the lid and stir it once. Cover the pan once again and cook for 3 more minutes.
• Take off the lid and drop the fried lentil dumplings. Pour ¼ cup of water into the pan. Cover and let it cook for 5 minutes. Then, sprinkle the sugar and give it a stir. Check for salt at this point and add any, if required. If you want to make it spicy, add some green chili or chili powder. Cook for another 2 minutes and its ready to serve.

Notes

FEW KEY POINTS TO KEEP IN MIND

This bottle gourd peel stir fry tastes good with bottle gourds those are tender. Sometimes depending on the size of the bottle gourd you buy, the peel might be more tough in texture.

In such case, you will have to boil the peel for longer before you stir fry it.

Occasionally, I find really tiny tender bottle gourd, and for those, I don't even feel the need to boil the peel seperately.

So, you need to make a call based on how tough the peels are.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Serves 2Calories: 130kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 0.1gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.1gSodium: 2326mgPotassium: 27mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 12IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 5mgIron: 1mg

Keyword bengali recipe, plant based meal, vegetarian side dish