Chow chow - often referred to as 'Bengaluru Katharikai' in some parts of TamilNadu. This is called as Chayote in English. I came to know that for the first time I saw this vegetable in a Wal*Mart store and was happy to try the known basic recipes with this vegetable. Though it doesnt have a flavor and taste of its own, this goes well in sambhar and kootu. Here is one version of kootu (a dish which has dhal as an ingredient) that can be made.
Ingredients:
1. Chow chow - 250 gms
2. Moong dhal - 150 gms
3. Onions - 2 (finely chopped)
4. Green chillies - 3 (split)
5. Oil - 1 tablespoon
6. Cumin powder- 2 teaspoon
7. Mustard seeds - 2 teaspoon
8. Urud dhal - 2 teaspoon
9. Asafoetida - little
10. Salt to taste
11. Grated coconut - 3 tablespoon
12. Coriander leaves -for garnish
Preparation:
1. Bring 500 ml of water to boil and add moong dhal to it.
2. When it is cooked 1/4th, add chow chow, onions and green chillies and required amount of salt and let it cook till the vegetable and dhal is cooked.
3. Add cumin powder and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes and bring it off the stove.
4. Heat oil in a pan and add mustard seeds when the oil is hot. When it splutters, add urud dhal and asafoetida and add this mixture to the kootu.
5. Garnish with grated coconut and coriander leaves.
Alternatively, you can grind coconut and cumin seeds and add to the vegetable when it boils. If you like it more spicy, grind green chillies along with coconut.
