Khatti Meethi Lauki Sweet And Sour Bottle Gourd

Ingredients

• 1 small bottle gourd/lauki/dudhi
• 1 tablespoonghee or oil
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds/jeera
• a very generous pinch of hing/asafoetida
• 2 fresh green chili pepper (sliced if you like the heat, and if you don’t leave them whole)
• 1 small fresh tomato, pureed (or 3/4 tablespoons tomato paste + 1/4 cup water or 1/4 cup canned tomato puree)
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
• salt to taste
• 2 teaspoon sugar (or to taste)
• 3/4 cup water
• a good squeeze of lime or lemon juice
• coriander/cilantro leaves to garnish (optional)