Lauki Thepla (Bottle Gourd Flatbread)

Quick answer

Traditional Gujarati flatbread made by kneading whole wheat flour with grated bottle gourd and aromatic spices, then pan-toasting it.

Read the steps as a cooking flow: prep, heat, seasoning, doneness control, and finish.

5 steps

1

Prep

Peel the bottle gourd and grate it very finely into a mixing bowl, keeping all the juice.
2

Season

Add whole wheat flour, yogurt, turmeric, chili powder, ajwain seeds, chopped coriander, and salt to the grated gourd.
3

Step

Knead into a soft dough using the moisture from the gourd.

Add 10ml oil, knead until smooth, and rest for 10 minutes.
4

Step

Divide the dough into golf-ball-sized portions and roll each out with a rolling pin into thin, 15cm circles.
5

Step

Place on a hot pan, apply a little oil on both sides, and toast for 1-2 minutes per side until brown spots appear.

The cues that matter most while cooking.

Key technique: Soft flatbread kneaded only with gourd juice
Finish cue: Knead into a soft dough using the moisture from the gourd.
Avoid this: Do not add any extra water when kneading; the natural moisture from the gourd is sufficient to bind the dough.