Lau Bhaji (Bottle Gourd)

Serves four to five people.

Ingredients:

• Small lau (bottle gourd) - 1
• Peas - ¼ cup
• Sliced onion - ½ cup
• Chopped garlic - 1 teaspoon
• Green chili - 3 to 4
• Ground turmeric - ½ teaspoon
• Panchforon (a mixture of fennel, mustard, fenugreek, cumin and black cumin) - 1 teaspoon
• Salt - 1 teaspoon (as needed)
• Oil - ¼ cup

Preparation:

• Cut the bottle gourd into small, thin pieces. Clean and rinse.
• Heat the pieces with salt and turmeric in a covered pan over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes.
• Remove the lid and let the water dry up.
• Turn off the heat and keep aside.

• Heat oil in a pan and fry the onion and garlic for a minute.
• Stir in the panchforon, bottle gourd pieces, green chili and peas.
• Keep over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes.

• Cook until the water dries up and serve.