Chop bottle gourd into finger sized thin strips.

Sprinkle salt and soda over them.

Tenderise bottle gourd as for fritters recipe, by making them 'sweat'.

Put flour in a large bowl.

Add ground paste, salt, pepper, chilli, and 2 tbsp. hot oil.

Add a little water, mix into a smooth batter.

Batter should thick enough to coat back of spoon thinly.

Heat oil in frying pan, add one pumkin strip at a time, dipped in batter.

Fry till crisp and light golden, flip and fry other side.

Drain, remove excess oil on kitchen paper.

Serve hot with a chilli garlic dip or even the Mexican salsa sauce.

One may even serve them with chutney or ketchup.