Chow Chow Kootu | Stewed chayote squash

Chow Chow Kootu is a stewed chayote squash made with lentils. It is an exquisite recipe prepared in Bhramin style (no onion & no garlic). Thanks to my sister Bhavya taught me this recipe. 

This kootu (stew) can be served with rice or chapathi.

Ingredients

2 nos Chayote Squash (chow chow), cubed into 1/2 inch pieces

1/2 cup Toor Dal

1/2 tsp Sambhar powder

1/4 tsp Turmeric powder

2 cups of Water

For Masala paste:

4 tsp Grated coconut

2 tsp  roasted channa dal 

3 dry Red chilies

1/2 tsp Cumin seeds

For seasoning:

2 tsp Oil

1 tsp Mustard seeds

1/2 tsp Cumin seeds

a sprig of Curry leaves

2 dry Red chili (optional)

pinch of Asafoetida 

Method

• Soak toor dal in water for 30 minutes
• In a pressure pan, cook toor dal and chayote squash with sambhar powder and turmeric powder with 2 cups of water for up to 2 whistles
• Next, make a fine paste of grated coconut, roasted channa dal, red chilies and cumin seeds using a blender. Add water as needed to make this paste
• Add the masala to the pressure pan. Season with salt. Simmer for 3- 5 minutes
• In a sauce pan, heat oil. When it turns smoky, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, curry leaves, asafoetida and red chilies. When it starts to sizzle, pour the seasoning on top of kootu
• Serve hot with chapathi or  steamed rice