Chow Chow kootu

Kootu is a traditional south indian side dish prepared with dal and vegetables. Chow chow kootu is an easy to prepare kootu recipe, which pairs well with any kuzhambu, rasam and thogayal varieties or even for rotis.

Chow chow kootu Recipe

Serves  :  3 - 4 people

Ingredients

• Chow Chow(Chayote)  -  2 medium sized
• Moong dal  -  1/2 cup
• Turmeric powder  -   a pinch
• Salt  -  as required

To grind

• Grated or dessicated coconut  -  1/2 cup
• Cumin seeds  -  2 tsp
• Green chilly  -  2 to 3 small

To temper

• Oil  -  2 tsp
• Mustard  -   1/2 tsp
• Split urad dal  -  1/2 tsp
• Asafoetida  -  a generous pinch
• Curry leaves  -  few

Method

1. Wash and clean moong dal. Pressure cook dal for 7 to 8 whistles, by adding required water.
2. Peel the skin of chow chow and chop into small pieces.
3. Clean chow chow and pressure cook for 4 to 5 whistles by adding salt and turmeric powder and required water.
4. Grind coconut, green chillies and cumin seeds to a fine paste by adding little water.
5. In a pan, add the cooked chow chow, dal and ground paste and mix well. Add salt and water if required and adjust the consistency of the kootu as required.
6. Cook it for 2 to 3 minutes so that everything blends well. Transfer to the serving bowl.
7. In the same pan, add oil and temper with mustard and asafoetida. Once mustard crackles, add urad dal and once dal turns brown, add curry leaves.
8. Transfer the tempered items to the kootu.
9. Serve kootu as a side dish for rice or even for rotis.