Chow Chow Kootu Recipe | Chayote Squash Stew Recipe

Chow Chow Kootu is a mildly spiced accompaniment made with moong dal, coconut and freshly ground spices. We can make this stew quickly by cooking chow chow and moong dal in a pressure cooker at the same time. We can serve Chow Chow stew  as an accompaniment to Puli Kuzhambu, Jeeraga Rasam or with any Kuzhambu  / Rasam varieties. It can also be served as a flavorful accompaniment for the phulkas

About Chow Chow and its Health Benefits

Chayote (Chow Chow) is an edible plant and like bitter gourd, ridge gourd, this also belongs to gourd family. Chow Chow is is low in Saturated Fat,and a very good source of Dietary Fiber and vitamins. Many different recipes can be made using  this vegetable. Refer below some of the recipes that you may want to try using Chayote Squash

1. Chow Chow Mor Kootu Recipe - Chow Chow Mor Kootu, a traditional and delicious stew made with chayote squash, coconut-curd-spice paste along with coconut oil garnishing.
2. Chayote Squash Stir-Fry Recipe - Chow Chow Poriyal is one of the simple stir-fry and easy to make. Chow Chow along with onion, capsicum and coconut makes this poriyal more interesting.

Variations that we can make in this recipe

1. Onion and Garlic - We usually make this without adding onion or garlic. But if you like the flavor of onion and garlic then you can add them as part of the tempering and add the vegetable once onion is cooked.
2. Spice it up with Pepper - While grinding the spices, you can add a teaspoon of pepper. This gives very good flavor and taste.

Method with Step by Step Pictures :

• Wash and finely chop the chow chow. Take the chopped vegetables in a vessel along with water and turmeric powder. Pressure cook the chow chow and moong dal and set it aside

• Heat oil in a pan and add the grinding ingredients (Channa Dal, Coriander Seeds, Peppercorns and Red Chili) and fry them till the dal turns slightly golden color. (Do not add grated coconut while frying). Take the fried ingredients in a mixer along with grated coconut and grind it to a nice paste

• Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds. When the mustard seeds starts to sputter, add split urid dal and fry till the dal turns golden color. Then add curry leaves and broken red chilli and saute it for a second. Then add the chopped chow chow and mix well.

•  To the pan then add mashed dal along with salt and mix well. Next, add ground paste and mix well. Bring the stew to boil.

• Finally add little coconut oil and mix well.

• The yummy and healthy Chow Chow kootu is now ready to serve!

Chow Chow Kootu Recipe | Chayote Stew Recipe