Chow chow kootu is a dish that is quick and easy to prepare. Kootu is basically a semi-gravy that pairs well with rice. The lentils and the squash are stir-fried in oil for a few minutes and then cooked with water. Honestly, I was always wary of buying this vegetable. Not sure why. I tried making a kootu with it for Karthigai last year and it was delicious. Now I prepare it often in our home.
Ingredients:
- 1 Chow chow or Chayote squash
- 1 tablespoon Oil
- 1/2 teaspoon Mustard seeds
- 1/4 cup Moong dal or split and skinned green gram
- 4 Dry red chillies
- 2 sprig Curry leaves
- 1 teaspoon Cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt or as needed
- 1/4 teaspoon Turmeric powder
- 1 cup Water
Preparation:
Peel the skin off the chayote squash, cut it in half vertically and discard the seed. Chop the squash into small pieces. Take cumin and pepper in a blender and grind them coarsely.
Heat oil in a pressure cooker over medium heat and add mustard seeds. After it pops add in the moong dal. Sauté till it turns brown and add in dry red chillies and curry leaves.
Add the chayote squash, salt, turmeric powder, ground cumin and pepper. Mix the spices through the squash. Sauté for two minutes and add water. Close the lid of the pressure cooker and cook on medium heat for three whistles. Allow the steam to settle itself.
Open the pressure cooker. The squash and dal would have turned soft. Give it a quick mix.
Serve hot with rice and rasam.
