Chow Chow Masala Kootu | Chayote Dal Fry

For a person who never cooked chayote or chow chow aka Bangalore Vankaya, I started liking it and making more dishes with this as the main ingredient. This particular recipe is both a curry and a dal combined in one; that’s what I feel. Mix it with hot rice with a little bit of ghee and it is a taste of yummmm ! You must try it too.

Ingredients

Chow chow pieces – 150 gms
Yellow moong dal – 2 tbsp.
Chana dal – 2 tbsp.
Onion – 1 chopped
Tomato – 1 chopped
Coconut grated – 4 or 5 tbsp.
Cumin seeds – 1 tsp.
Green chillies – 2
Peppercorns – 4
Turmeric – ¼ tsp. + ¼ tsp.
Hing or Asafoetida – ½ tsp.
Garlic – 3 cloves
Oil – 2 tbsp.
Mustard seeds – ½ tsp.
Urad dal – ½ tsp.
Curry leaves – a few
Coriander – 2 tbsp.
Red chilli – 1 or 2
Salt to taste

Method

Wash and soak both dals for an hour.
In a pressure pan, add in the dals, chow chow pieces, salt, hing and turmeric together with 1.5 to 2 glasses of water. Mix well.
Let it come to a boil. Add in the garlic cloves. Mix and close lid. Pressure cook for 3-4 whistles. Keep aside.
To make the masala paste, grind together the coconut, green chillies, pepper and cumin seeds with some water. Keep aside.
In a kadai, add in the oil and once hot, put in the mustard seeds and urad dal. Once it splutters, add the curry leaves and red chilli. Mix well.
Now add in onions and fry till translucent.
Next add in the tomato pieces with turmeric and little salt. Cook till soft.
When this mixture comes together add in the dals, cooked vegetable and the masala paste. Mix well. adjust salt. Add some more water to get the desired consistency.
Cover and cook for few minutes. Lastly add in chopped coriander and stir. Remove into a serving bowl.