Chow Chow Poriyal - Chow Chow Thoran

Chow Chow is a very popular vegetable used in Tamil Nadu. Interestingly, you will not find ppl from many parts of India using this. I have already made a kootu with this before. Do check that out as well.

I like chow chow in this form more than the kootu. I feel you get a burst of freshness when you eat it as a poriyal. Made this on a cold gloomy afternoon. So the photos are all dull, but believe me the flavours were fresh!!

Ingredients

Chow Chow/Chayote 3 big ones (about 5 cups)
Coconut 1/2 cup
Green Chilli 1
Curry leaves few
Mustard 1/2 tsp
Turmeric 1/2 tsp

Oil and salt to taste



Method of Preparation

1. Peal the chow chow. Cut into 2 and core the seed out. Chop into small pieces

2. Heat a little oil in a pan. Add mustard. When in sputters, add turmeric.

3. Add the chopped chow chow and give it a stir. It will leave water. But it will soon get absorbed. Do not cover. Else it will become mushy.

4. After 5 minutes or so, it will be almost cooked.

5. Pulse the coconut, green chilli and curry leaves. Add it to the pan along with some salt. Mix and cook for a few more minutes.

6. The coconut will absorb any excess water. Serve with some sambar and rice.

We enjoyed it with some Pala Kottai Pitla (Pitla with jackfruit seeds and eggplant)

Adding a couple of photos of Chow Chow also known as Chayote from the internet. For reference of those who do not know it.. Have borrowed the photos from Wiki Article

This is how it looks when cut. The white thing is the seed that needs to be cored out