how to cook bottle gourd

To cook bottle gourd, here is a simple and popular method for making a bottle gourd curry (lauki ki sabzi):

1. Peel the bottle gourd and cut it into roughly 1/2 inch pieces.
2. Heat oil or ghee in a pan or Instant Pot on sauté mode.
3. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
4. Add chopped onions and sauté for 2 minutes.
5. Add chopped tomatoes, turmeric powder, salt, and the bottle gourd pieces. Mix well.
6. Add a little water (about 2 tablespoons) to prevent sticking and cook covered for about 5 minutes until the bottle gourd is tender.
7. Garnish with chopped cilantro and sprinkle some black pepper powder.
8. Serve hot with roti or rice.

This recipe is nutritious, light, and easy to prepare, commonly made as a comforting vegetable curry. There are variations involving tempering with mustard seeds, urad dal, curry leaves, and garlic, especially in South Indian styles. The bottle gourd is a hydrating vegetable often cooked until soft but not mushy. Peel, seed, and cut before cooking, avoiding overly soft or pale green gourds.

Would a specific type of recipe (e.g., stir fry, dal mix) or more detailed step-by-step instructions be helpful?