Chow Chow Sweet Kootu (Chayote Squash Sweet Curry)

Oct 23rd 2010

Chayote Squash is one of my favorite vegetables for a few reasons. It can be used in curries, as a vegetable and is something that is very usable in dishes for kids because it has a sweet taste of its own and does not need too much seasoning. Additionally it can be stored for more than a week and still stays good before cooking. This recipe you can say has its roots from my Palghat iyer background as it uses coconut and jaggery :) This goes very well with rice and podi or on the side with chappatis too. 

Ingredients

• Chayote Squash -2 nos (cut in small symmetrical cubes)
• Chana dhal - 1/2 cup
• Oil
• Mustard  (1 tbsp)
• Urad Dhal ( 1 tbsp)
• grated coconut ( 1 tbsp)
• turmeric powder
• salt
• jaggery  or brown sugar ( 1 tbsp)

To grind

• red chillies (1-2 nos)
• grated coconut ( 1 tbsp)
• jeera ( 1 tsp)
• Curry leaves ( 2 nos)

Method de Preparation

1. Grind red chillies, coconut, curry leaves and jeera and keep aside.
2. Cook chana dhal and chayote squash in a pressure cooker with salt/turmeric and water (~ 1:3) slightly. Allow equivalent of 1 whistle. Alternative is to cook just the chana dhal in the cooker with just enough water and the chayote squash outside to prevent it from becoming mashed.
3. When done, take the cooked mix out, transfer into a container and place on heat directly.
4. Add the ground mixture and allow everything to come together. When you see the mixture begin to foam and bubble turn off heat. At this point, add the jaggery and it will dissolve on its own.
5. Season in oil a little bit of mustard, when it splutters add urad dhal and finally the other 1 tbsp of coconut and roast till slightly brown. 
6. Transfer carefully to top the dish like you will do if you are the chef on food network and enjoy!