In a world of fad diets and gourmet meals, Kareena Kapoor Khan dropped a relatable bombshell: the Pataudis, a family synonymous with royalty and glamour, are avid fans of lauki. This humble vegetable is apparently a staple in their royal home.
The Royal Revelation
During a
recent appearance on 'The Great Indian Kapil Show', Kareena Kapoor offered a candid glimpse into the contrasting culinary worlds of the Kapoors and the Pataudis. While her own family, the Kapoors, are famous for their love of rich foods like paya and pizza, she shared that her husband's family has decidedly simpler tastes. 'The full Pataudi family with Amma (Sharmila Tagore), Soha, Saba, Sara, and Saif… they get lauki cooked every time', she revealed. Saif Ali Khan, present with her on the show, sheepishly confirmed it's his favourite vegetable, though he admitted he doesn't like broadcasting it. This revelation paints a picture of a family that, despite its royal lineage and Bollywood stardom, prefers wholesome, home-cooked meals.
A Tradition of Simple Tastes
Kareena's comment about the vegetable being enjoyed 'across generations' is particularly telling. She has previously mentioned that her mother-in-law, the iconic Sharmila Tagore, maintains her radiance by eating simple 'ghar ka khana', specifically mentioning that she eats 'toori and lauki everyday'. This preference for basic, healthy food seems to be a core part of the Pataudi lifestyle. Saif himself has stated in interviews that he is not a big fan of rich food and generally eats to live, not the other way around. He prefers a simple lunch of sabzi, dal, and roti, a habit he and Kareena maintain even when at the grand Pataudi Palace. The family's consistent choice of unpretentious, healthy food offers a refreshing counter-narrative to the often-extravagant public image of celebrities.
The Unsung Hero of Vegetables
Lauki, or bottle gourd, often gets a bad rap. It is frequently seen as a bland, watery vegetable reserved for when one is feeling unwell. Yet, nutritionists and health experts champion it for its numerous benefits. With a water content of over 90%, it is incredibly hydrating and easy on the digestive system. It's low in calories and high in dietary fibre, which aids in weight management and helps maintain a healthy gut. In fact, Kareena herself has called lauki a 'superpower vegetable' for its gut-friendly properties, mentioning she sometimes has lauki soup or sabzi instead of medication to feel better. Its rich content of potassium, vitamin C, and other minerals also supports heart health and helps regulate blood pressure.
Giving Lauki a Gourmet Makeover
The Pataudis' fondness for lauki might just inspire a culinary revival for the humble gourd. While a simple sabzi is the most common preparation, the vegetable is incredibly versatile. It can be grated and added to yogurt to make a cooling raita, perfect for pairing with a spicy biryani. For those with a sweet tooth, lauki halwa or lauki kheer are delicious desserts where the vegetable's mild taste allows it to absorb the flavours of milk, sugar, and cardamom beautifully. Another popular option is making lauki koftas, where grated bottle gourd is mixed with spices and flour, fried into balls, and then simmered in a rich tomato-based gravy. It can also be shredded and mixed into dough to make nutritious theplas or parathas. These dishes prove that a vegetable often dismissed as boring can be the star of both savoury and sweet creations.
