Yakhni Lauki/ Bottle gourd with Yougurt based gravy

Ingredients
1 Bottle gourd /Lauki/Doodhi
1 small onion
1 inch Cinnamon Stick
2-3 Cardamom pods
½ tsp caraway seeds/ Shahjeera
2-3 cloves
1/2tsp Dry ginger powder
1 teaspoon Fennel/ Saunf Powder
1/4th TSp coriander powder
½ tsp Kashmiri red chilli powder
Pinch of turmeric
1/4 teaspoon Asafoetida (hing)
150gms Curd (Yougurt)
Oil
Salt to taste

Method:

Cut the bottlegourd into small cubes, now in a pan add 1tbsp of oil and heat, add pieces of bottle gourd and fry them till they turn tender and brown, now remove and set them on a kitchen tissue. In the same pan add little oil/Ghee and add cloves, cinnamon stick, caraway seeds and saute until nice aroma comes out of it. Add finely sliced onions and fry till they turn translucent. Now add , coriander powder, red chilli powder and turmeric. Add water and bring it to a boil, add pieces of bottle gourd, dry ginger powder, fennel powder, hing and mix well. Add whisked yougurt and add it to the bottle gourd and combine them well. Cook it on medium flame and cook till you get the desired consistency. Add salt as required and simmer for a while. Switch off the flame and garnish with coriander leaves. Goes well with rice and roti

Tip : In case the curry turns very sour, add little cream or a pinch of sugar.