Chayote Squash/Chow Chow curry

Chayote is a fruit that belongs to gourd family. It's also called as chow-chow. Chayote is a good source of vitamin C. Chayote fruit is used mostly cooked forms. It can stir fried but I made a curry of this fruit.

The skin has to be peeled off before cooking. Once the skin is peeled, it's really slimy. So, grease your hands before peeling. When peeled and cut in half, remove the seed.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes 

Cook Time: 15 minutes 

Serves : 4

Ingredients:

Chayote: 1 cup peeled and chopped

Turmeric: 1/2 teaspoon 

Coriander powder: 1 teaspoon 

Coriander leaves/cilantro: to garnish

Water : 1 cup

Salt to taste 

To Roast and grind :

Oil : 1 teaspoon 

Red chilies: 8
Chana dal : 1 teaspoon 

Urad dal : 1 teaspoon 

Cumin seeds : 1/2 teaspoon 

Onions : 3 medium chopped 

Tomatoes: 2 large chopped 

For Tempering:

Mustard seeds : 1 teaspoon 

Red chilies: 2 broken 

Curry leaves: 1 sprig

Method :

Take chayote, turmeric and salt in a sauce pan with water and cook till they are soft. Now, drain the water and keep it aside.

Heat oil in a pan and add all ingredients listed under roast and grind. Roast them for 2-3 minutes and turn off the stove.  Add onions and sauté till they turn light brown. Add tomatoes and cook till they are soft. Cool them off, add the mixture in a blender and grind into a powder. Add little water and grind again to make a coarse paste.

Heat oil in a pan, add ingredients listed under for Tempering and fry for 30 seconds.

Add cooked chayote and cook for 3 minutes.

Add the ground masala, salt and water. Bring it to a boil and cook till the gravy is thick.

Turn off the stove and garnish with cilantro.

Serve hot with rice or roti.