Make this refreshing and easy Lauki Ka Raita (Ghiya Raita, Doodhi Raita, Bottle Gourd Raita) as an accompaniment for your summer meals (vegetarian, gluten-free).
Here are some more raita recipes that you may like – Bathua Ka Raita, Kaddu Ka Raita, Carrot Raita, Cucumber Raita, Pahadi Kheere Ka Raita, Mix Fruit Raita, and Restaurant Style Pineapple Raita.
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About Lauki Ka Raita
Lauki Ka Raita (Doodhi Raita, Ghiya Raita) is a savory North Indian accompaniment made using bottle gourd, yogurt, and a few spices. It is very refreshing and can be served as a side dish with biryani, pulao, or any other Indian meal.
This raita is healthy, tasty, and filling. It is a great dish to eat in summer because of the cooling properties of yogurt and bottle gourd. It keeps your body cool, and hydrated and saves you from the scorching heat of summer.
This raita recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free and can be easily doubled or tripled.
Ingredients
Lauki – Lauki, also called calabash, doodhi or ghiya is one of my favorite summer vegetables. It is available throughout the year nowadays, but the best ones come out in the summer.
Yogurt (Dahi, Curd) – I like to use plain full-fat yogurt to make the raita, as it adds a nice and creamy texture.
If you want to make a vegan lauki raita, you can use soy yogurt, coconut yogurt, or any dairy-free yogurt that you prefer.
Green Chillies – To add a spicy taste to the raita, add in some finely chopped green chilies. You can adjust the quantity as per your taste. If you are making this ghiya raita for your kids, you can completely skip adding it too.
Cilantro (Fresh Coriander Leaves) – Fresh coriander adds a nice green color and refreshing taste to the raita.
Black Salt – Add black salt to taste. You can use regular salt too in the raita.
Cumin Powder – Add in a little roasted cumin powder for an added flavor. You can also add red chili powder if you want to make it nice and spicy. Check out how to make roasted cumin powder at home here.
If you want to make raita a little watery, then add in some water or milk and adjust the consistency.
You can also add some peeled and grated cucumber or carrots along with cooked lauki in the raita.
Bottle Gourd Health Benefits
Bottle gourd is low in calories, making it a great addition to a weight loss diet.
The vegetable is mostly composed of water, making it a great source of hydration.
Lauki is rich in fiber, which helps to improve digestion and prevent constipation.
It is known to have a low glycemic index, which means it does not cause a sudden spike in blood sugar levels, making it beneficial for people with diabetes.
Bottle gourd is also rich in potassium, which helps to lower blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart disease.
It is rich in vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for skin and hair health.
How To Make Lauki Ka Raita
Prepare The Lauki
Wash the lauki and peel it using a vegetable peeler. Peel it until you reach the soft flesh.
Cut it into half and discard any big seeds.
Grate the lauki using the middle hole of a box grater. Measure out 1 cup of grated lauki.
Add the grated lauki to a pressure cooker along with ½ cup water and stir well.
Pressure cook for 2 whistles on high heat.
Remove the cooker from heat and let the pressure release naturally.
Note – You can also cook the lauki in a pan over the stovetop or in an Instant Pot.
Strain the lauki using a fine-mesh strainer and let it cool completely.
Note – You can use the leftover water to knead the dough or to make curries.
Make The Raita
Whisk yogurt in a medium size mixing bowl using a wire whisk until smooth and creamy.
Add
- cooked lauki
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped green chilies
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
- 1 teaspoon black salt
- ½ teaspoon roasted cumin powder
to the bowl and mix well.
Chill the raita for a few hours and serve.
Pro Tips By Neha
It is important to note that bottle gourd should be cooked before consuming, as it may cause stomach upset if consumed in raw form.
Serving Suggestions
You can serve lauki raita along with your everyday meals, which comprise dal, sabzi, and phulka. You can also serve it with stuffed parathas like aloo paratha, gobi paratha, keema paratha, etc.
This doodhi raita even tastes great with biryani, matar pulao, bagara rice, or any lightly spiced pulao.
Storage Suggestions
Ghiya raita tastes great when prepared fresh.
You can cook the lauki and store it in the fridge for about 2 to 3 days in an air-tight container.
Mix cooked lauki and other ingredients in the yogurt just before you are planning to serve the raita.
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Recipe Card
Lauki Ka Raita Recipe (Ghiya Raita, Doodhi Raita)
Ingredients
- 10 ounce lauki (bottlegourd) (300 g)
- 1 cup chilled plain yogurt (dahi, curd)
- 1 teaspoon finely chopped green chilies
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro (fresh coriander leaves)
- 1 teaspoon black salt
- ½ teaspoon roasted cumin powder
Instructions
Prepare The Lauki
- Wash the lauki and peel it using a vegetable peeler. Peel it until you reach the soft flesh.
- Cut it into half and discard any big seeds.
- Grate the lauki using the middle hole of a box grater. Measure out 1 cup of grated lauki.
- Add the grated lauki to a pressure cooker along with ½ cup water and stir well.
- Pressure cook for 2 whistles on high heat.
- Remove the cooker from heat and let the pressure release naturally.
- Note – You can also cook the lauki in a pan over the stovetop or in an Instant Pot.
- Strain the lauki using a fine-mesh strainer and let it cool completely.
- Note – You can use the leftover water to knead the dough or to make curries.
Make The Raita
- Whisk yogurt in a medium size mixing bowl using a wire whisk until smooth and creamy.
- Add cooked lauki, green chilies, cilantro, black salt, and roasted cumin powder to the bowl and mix well.
- Chill the raita for a few hours and serve.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!