Chow Chow Kootu (Bangalore kathirikkai)

Chayote Squash ( Bangalore Kathirikkai) - the fruit and the seed are rich in amino acid and Vitamin C. This kootu is a wonderful side dish for Thogayal Rice. The main ingredients are as follows...

Ingredients:-

1. Chow Chow - 1 cup (cut it into a small cubes)
2. Peas - 3 tbsp
3. Moong Dhal - 1/2 cup
4. Turmeric powder - 1/2 tsp
5. Salt to taste
   
6. Coriander seeds - 1 tsp
7. Channa dal - 1/2 tsp
8. Urid dhal - 1/4 tsp
9. Black Pepper - 1 tsp
   
10. Cumin Seeds - 1/2
    
11. Fresh Coconut - 1 tbsp
12. Asafoetida powder - a pinch

For Seasoning:-

1. Oil - 2 tsp
2. Mustard Seeds - 1/2 tsp
3. Urid dhal - 1/2 tsp
4. Red chillies - 1
5. Asafoetida powder - a pinch

First pressure cook the Moong dhal upto 2 whistles adding turmeric powder to it. Keep it aside. You can also add the vegetables to the dhal and cook it along with the dhal. Take a small pan, pour a drop of oil in it and add coriander seeds+channa dal+urid dhal+black pepper+cumin seeds+Asafoetida powder+Coconut and fry these to golden brown. Let it cool and grind it. Keep it aside.

After opening the pressure cooker, take a wide pan, pre heat the remaining oil, add mustard seeds, when it splutters, add urid dhal, red chillies and asafoetida powder and fry it till golden brown. Now pour the vegetable and dhall mixture in it and also add the coconut mixture to it. Add salt and let it cook for 5 mts. When everything is mixed, turn off the stove and garnish it with coriander leaves. Now kootu is ready to serve.