4 cups of chopped chayote squash (also called chow chow) or use any squash or a combination of squashes
1/2 cup mung dal
1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder
1/4 teaspoon red chili powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 cup of grated fresh coconut can be substituted with dry coconut
2 cups or enough water for preparation
Seasoning:
2 tablespoon of oil
3 teaspoon of urad dal
2 teaspoon of cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon of mustard seeds
dry red chili or to taste
Heat a pan with 1 1/2 cups of water. Wash and add mung dal to it and cook for 10 minutes.
While the dal is cooking wash the chayote thoroughly and cut it to small pieces.
After 10 minutes add the cut vegetable to the dal and cook for 10 minutes after which add turmeric powder, chili powder, salt, coconut and water if necessary and cook for 5 minutes. Check the vegetable if it is cooked turn the heat off and get the seasoning ready.
Seasoning:
In a separate pot heat oil, when it is hot add urad dal, cumin seeds mustard seeds and red chili. When the mustard seeds crack add it to the dish. Serve with rice or chapati.
Serves 4.
All kinds of squash's go well for this recipe.
Serve with rice or chapati.
This is a simplified version of kootu. Kootu in Tamil means to add or join. Usually the urad dal and cumin are roasted in few drops of oil and ground with coconut. Spinach can also be used to make this dish. When spinach is used it is the sole vegetable. This dish is popular in Southern India specially in Kerala. My mother used to make this dish very often. We all loved it. It is healthy, hearty and delicious.
