Apr 28, 2008

Chayote / Chow-Chow Kootu

The chayote is a member of the squash family. It is also referred to as a "vegetable pear" or chcocho or chow-chow.The flesh is quite crisp something like a water chestnut.Chayotes come in two common varities, the smooth variety shown below and a prickly variety (covered in spines).Medicinal uses of the chayote included a tea made of the leaves is reported to dissolve kidney stones as well as a treatment for arteriosclerosis and hypertension.The chayote can be eaten raw in salads, or stuffed and baked. Other preparations include mashing, pickling, frying or boiling. The plain squash tends to be bland and benefits from "aggressive" seasoning.

I made kootu with chow-chow and it tasted wonderful..I got this recipe from my mother..It tastes good with any rice or dhall..

               

Ingredients

Chow-chow / Chayote - 2 cups chopped
Split Moong dhall -1/4 cup
Asafoetida /Hing - 1 pinch
Turmeric powder - 1 teaspoon
Salt to taste

To grind

Coconut-1 teaspoon
Green chillies - 3
Cumin seeds - 1 teaspoon
Urad dhall roasted in a teaspoon of oil

For tempering
Oil - 1 teaspoon
Mustard - 1 teaspoon
Urad dhall - 1 teaspoon
Curry leaves- 1 sprig
Dry red chillies -2

Directions

To the split moong dhall add turmeric powder and a little water and allow it to cook until it is half cooked..( I microwaved it for 2 minutes)..Add the chopped chow-chow salt and half a cup of water,cover and cook for 6 to 7 minutes.
Grind together the coconut,roasted urad dhall, green chillies, cumin seeds in a blender and add to the chow-chow.Bring it to a boil and take off from the heat..
Do the tempering with the mustard, urad dhall, red chillies and add it to the cooked vegetable...
Serve hot..

                             

22 comments:

  1. kootu looks so delicious, Divya! Must have tasted great. nice entry.

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  2. kootu looks delicous.I too make the same way Divya

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  3. this kootu was a fav in our family too... and i simply love the tengai mixture..

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  4. and hey i too got the yummy blog award from two frens... will post soon just wanted to share this with u ..

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  5. never knew about this...looks simple and healthy:)

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  6. I love this Chow chow kootu a lot :) Pretty much same ingredient we make it too :)

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  7. Kootu looks too good.

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  8. A very interesting recipe Divya. Will try it next time when I get chayote.

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  9. This is like a fast food to me...Something which I make when there is no time or when I want something light simple yet fulfilling.

    Good one :)

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  10. This new for me divya..looks very yummmyy, wonderful entry!!!

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  11. This looks so delicious Divya..
    I also completed the Meme and had a fun time with it..flashes while making them all came back and made me feel very happy..thanks for spreading happiness!!

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  12. Wow...nice entry.Looks yummy.

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  13. Thats new to me.. Chayote in indian style.. wow.. it must taste yum!

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  14. We make kootu atleast once a week and keep trying different veggies...nice one

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  15. I too make in same way divya..looks so so yummm

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  16. Hi Divya.... This is a nice recipe... Realy want to try it when I get Chayote in my grocery stores.... Delish!

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  17. Love chow chow and any kootu using moong dal! This looks similar to the way I make kootu as well. Looks creamy and delicious! :)

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  18. I have never had squash nor chow chow, are they sort of sweet? The kootu looks very good! I am planning to try some of the US veggies which I have never tried before, Winter melon, Squash :)

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  19. what a lovely dish! Thanks for joining WHB!

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  20. Looks so delicious, I bet it was wonderful!

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Hi..
Thanks for dropping by my blog and rendering your valuable comments..Hope you had a nice time reading my recipes..Thanks for your encouragement..

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