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Lauki ka Murabba

Transport yourself back in time with the delectable "Lauki ka Murabba Recipe". Showcasing the round bottle gourd or 'lauki', this recipe will captivate your taste buds with its traditional charm.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 2 Glass Jars of 800 grams approx
Course: Dessert, Sweet Dish
Cuisine: Indian, Pakistani
Ingredients Method Video

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kg lauki (firm and bright green)
  • 750 grams sugar (adjust to taste)
  • 5-6 green cardamom pods (coarsely ground)
  • 1 tsp whole black peppers or a pinch of saffron strands
  • 1&½ tsp lemon juice
  • ¾ liter water

Method
 

Choosing the Right Lauki
  1. The first step involves choosing a fresh lauki. Always choose a lauki that is firm and bright green – a sign of freshness.
    choosing a firm and bright green lauki for murabba
Lauki Preparation
  1. Begin by washing the lauki thoroughly. Use a sharp knife or a peeler to peel the tough outer skin.
    peeling off the outer skin of lauki with a peeler
  2. First, cut it down the center to create two halves, then chop it into 1-inch-sized thick slices or cubes. Discard the hard seeds, if any.
    Just a word of caution, don't leave these pieces untouched for long, as exposure to air will cause discoloration.
The Cooking Process
  1. Take a wok, and pour ¾ liter of water into it. Add 5 to 6 coarsely crushed green cardamom pods for that aromatic touch.
    boiling water in a wok with coarsely ground green cardamom
  2. Cover the wok and bring the water to boil on a high flame. It will typically take 3 to 4 minutes.
    covering the wok with its lid and bringing the water to a boil
  3. Once the water is boiling, immerse the lauki pieces, give them a gentle stir, and cover the wok again.
  4. Boil the lauki pieces for about 4 to 5 minutes. Make sure not to overcook them, otherwise, they will lose their shape.
    boiling the lauki pieces in a wok
  5. Next, drain the water using a sieve and keep the boiled lauki pieces aside. We’ll now use this boiled water to prepare sugar syrup.
    taking out the lauki pieces with a sieve
Sugar Syrup Preparation
  1. In the next step, add sugar to the previously boiled water. Stir the mixture until the sugar completely dissolves.
    adding sugar to the previously boiled water
  2. Now, sprinkle in 1 tsp of whole black pepper to add a hint of spice to the sweetness. If you like, you can add a pinch of saffron strands instead of black peppers.
    Boil this mixture for 3 to 4 minutes.
Cooking and Flavoring the Lauki
  1. Now, add the tenderized lauki pieces into this syrupy concoction. Stir well, ensuring that all the lauki is coated with the syrup. Let them cook for around 7 to 8 minutes, giving them a casual stir now and then.
    Next, add 1 and ½ tsp of lemon juice. The citrus not only enhances the taste but also balances the sweetness and prevents the crystallization of sugar.
    adding tenderized lauki and lemon juice to the sugar syrup
Achieving the Perfect Consistency and Softness
  1. After approximately 8 minutes, you will notice that the lauki pieces have turned translucent and fully absorbed the syrup, and the syrup has reached a desirable consistency.
  2. You can check the softness by poking a lauki piece with a fork. If the division goes in smoothly, it's ready.
  3. To check the perfect consistency, do a consistency test as mentioned below in the recipe. It's also important to avoid over-thickening, as it can make the syrup denser upon cooling.
Cooling and Storing the Murabba
  1. Once the lauki ka murabba reaches the perfect consistency, turn off the flame, remove the wok from the stovetop and allow it to cool completely.
    While cooling, it's advisable not to cover the murabba with the wok's lid. Instead, use a muslin cloth to cover it. This method prevents steam from forming inside the wok.
    Hence, always ensure the murabba is cool before transferring it into sterilized glass jars. Seal the jars and store them in a cool, dry place or refrigerator.
    lauki ka murabba in a glass bowl

Video