Bottle gourd leaves stir-fry or lau pata chorchori is an easy and healthy dish made with tender stalk and leaves of bottle gourd. This Bengali dish is very easy to make and is ready in less than 20 minutes. The main flavour of this dish comes from an easy spice base made with poppy seeds and mustard seeds. This masala base works very well with other green leafy vegetables too. You may use tender pumpkin leaves and stalk instead of bottle gourd leaves in this recipe.
Ingredients1 big bunch bottle gourd leaves and tender stalk
2 tablespoon poppy seeds
½ teaspoon mustard seeds
1-2 green chilli or as per taste
1 teaspoon oil
1 teaspoon nigella seeds
½ teaspoon turmeric powder
Salt to taste
Method- Wash and clean the bottle gourd leaves and stalk
- Separate the stalk from the leaves. Cut the stalk into 2-inch pieces and roughly chop the leaves
- Soak poppy seeds and mustard in little water for 10-12 minutes
- Combine the soaked poppy seeds with green chilli and grind into a smooth paste
- Heat oil in a kadhai or frying pan and add nigella seeds
- Once it splutters, add the bottle gourd stalk and mix well
- Cover and let it cook for 3-4 minutes
- Add the leaves and mix well
- Add the ground paste, turmeric powder, and salt. Mix well
- Cover and let it simmer until the leaves and stalk are completely cooked
- Increase the heat and let excess moisture dry
- Serve hot with steamed rice.