Chayote or Chow Chow is a vegetable that belongs to the gourd family.The entire vegetable is edible including the skin, flesh, seeds, shoots, leaves and flowers.These peels can be used to make delicious CHOW CHOW PEEL CHUTNEY.
Chow chow can be boiled,baked,fried or can also be used raw in salads.Some varieties of Chow chow are covered in spikes and I usually avoid them.Always buy small and tender ones for they taste so good,never buy old wrinkled ,dry and tough chayote.This Chow Chow kootu prepared with moong dhal and grated coconut tastes great with sambar,rasam and steamed rice.

PREPARATAION TIME : 5 MINS

COOKING TIME : 20 MINS

SERVES : 3-4

INGREDIENTS

2 chow chow / chayote (peeled and chopped)

1 & 1/2 tbsp moong dhal

2 tbsp grated coconut

2 cups water

1/2 tsp mustard seeds

1/2 tsp urad dhal

A sprig of curry leaves

2-3 dried red chillies

1 onion (chopped)

1 tbsp oil

Salt to taste

METHOD

Peel the skin ,remove the seed and chop the vegetable into small pieces.

Cook the moong dhal in a cup of water and let it cook 3/4 th.Now add 1 more cup of water and bring it to boil.

When it starts to boil ,add the chopped chow chow with little salt.Let it cook for 10-12 mins or until well cooked.

Heat oil in a pan,add mustard seeds,urad dhal,dried red chilly and curry leaves.Let it splutter,then add onions and saute for 2-3 mins.Now add the cooked chow chow,grated coconut and mix well.

Chow Chow Kootu is now ready to serve.