Gilki Pakoda
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Gilki Pakoda or Pakora; it is a sponge gourd fritter made from sliced sponge gourd, dipped in chickpea batter, and deep-fried. These delicious fritters are the perfect snack for teatime or as an appetizer. It’s also offering a healthier alternative to aloo pakoda. It can be air fried in an air fryer if you are concerned about oily food.
Author:
Recipe type: Appetizer
Cuisine: Indian
Serves: 5-6
Ingredients
  • 2 Medium Sized Gilki/Sponge Gourd
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1 tsp Red Chili Powder
  • ½ tsp Black Pepper
  • For Batter
  • 1 Cup Chickpeas Flour/Besan
  • ¼ cup Rice Flour
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • ½ tsp Turmeric Powder
  • ½ tsp Red Chili Powder
  • ¼ tsp Baking Soda
  • Oil For Deep Frying
Instructions
  1. Wash and wipe the gilki/sponge gourd, trim or cut both ends and slice it into round disks.
  2. Add into the bowl, sprinkle with red chili powder, salt, and coat it all sides.
  3. For batter
  4. In a mixing bowl, add besan, rice flour, salt, turmeric, red chili powder, baking soda and mix it with a spoon.
  5. Add 1 cup water and make a smooth, thick but pourable batter.
  6. Process
  7. Heat oil in deep pan for frying.
  8. Dip the gilki slices into the batter and coat it all over. Slide slice into the hot oil carefully.
  9. Use same method for remaining slices and fry it all sides till golden brown on medium flame.
  10. Fry it in batches, depending on pan size.
  11. Gilki Pakodas are ready, sprinkle some chaat masala, serve with chutneys, and enjoy with tea.
Notes
If you prefer, you can substitute semolina/suji for rice flour.
You can air fry the pakodas instead of deep frying them.
Recipe by Binjal's VEG Kitchen at https://binjalsvegkitchen.com/gilki-pakoda/