Instructions: Take butter milk in a large vessel.

Add salt, soda and flour, mix well.

Keep aside for 6-7 hours.

Grate bottlegourd and squeeze out excess water.

Add gourd, coriander and greenchilli.

Heat oil in a pan, add urad & channa dals, and seeds.

Allow to splutter, pour half in the batter, mix thoroughly.

Put in a greased oven proof deep container.

Pour remaining seasoning on top.

Place in a preheated oven at 280C for 10 minutes.

Reduce to 200C or 180C for 40 minutes or till done.

Check by inserting a skewer which should come out clean.

Slice into wedges and serve hot with chutney or lemon tea.

Making time: 30 minutes (excluding fermenting and baking time)

Makes: 5-6 servings

Shelflife: Flour may be stored in a dry airtight container for 3-4 weeks.

After baking best fresh.

Note: Handvoh is traditionally cooked in a wide earthen pot, over a slow coal fire, and some coals place above the mouth of the pot in an earthen lid. This slow cooking supplemented by the porous texture of earthenware, gives and excellent lightness to the dish. However, the oven is a modern day substitute, which will give good but not the same results.

If you would like to email yourself the recipe for later use, or share the recipe with your friends or family, enter the email addresses below and this recipe will be emailed to you and others as well.