Chow chow kootu recipe | South Indian kootu recipes - Raks Kitchen (2024)

Updated on by Raks Anand 33 Comments

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Chow chow kootu is a mild accompaniment with moong dal, coconut base for south Indian lunch menu.

Chow chow kootu recipe | South Indian kootu recipes - Raks Kitchen (1)

Todays post is a simple chow chow kootu recipe. Chow chow / chayote is not liked by many, but we all like it in our family.

Be it sambar or curry we like it. This one also one of our favorite and goes well with vathal kuzhambu or poondu kuzhambu or any spicy kuzhambu.

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  • Variations
  • Recipe card
  • Method

I am comfortable in making this kootu in small pressure cooker as chow chow take some time.

Otherwise I always prefer stove top boiling method for making kootu. Will come up with interesting posts, as of now, enjoy this simple mild kootu recipe!

Variations

  • Instead of tempering with onion, blend the shallots coarsely along cumin seeds to coarse paste.
  • You can also add just a clove of garlic along while blending.
  • Chana dal can also be used. But soak 1 hour prior making.

Recipe card

Chow chow kootu recipe | South Indian kootu recipes - Raks Kitchen (2)

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5 from 6 votes

Chow chow kootu recipe

Chow chow kootu is a mild accompaniment with moong dal, coconut base for south Indian lunch menu.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Indian, South Indian

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Author Raks Anand

Servings 3 people

Cup measurements

Ingredients

  • 1 Chow chow chayote, large
  • ¼ cup Moong dal
  • 1 teaspoon Sambar powder
  • 4 Small onions
  • teaspoon Turmeric
  • Salt

To grind

  • ¼ cup Coconut grated
  • ½ teaspoon Cumin seeds
  • ½ teaspoon Rice flour optional

To temper

  • 1 teaspoon Oil
  • ½ teaspoon Mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Urad dal
  • 1 sprig Curry leaves

Instructions

  • Take chow chow firstly and peel off the skin using a vegetable peeler.

  • Cut into quarters, and then each quarter into two.

  • Then slice out the seed and whitish part in the middle.

  • Slice it thickly and then into strips. After that cut them into cubes.

  • Now take a pressure cooker, add moong dal to it.

  • On top of it add chow chow, turmeric, sambar powder and salt.

  • Add one cup water in such a way it dissolves the powders and salt and mix.

  • Make sure the dal is immersed in water. Pressure cook for 2-3 whistles.

  • Meanwhile grind coconut with cumin and rice flour with little water to a paste.

  • I first grind the coconut with rice flour well, then add jeera lastly and grind coarsely as its flavourful that way.

  • Add it to the cooked vegetable and mix well. Bring to boil.

  • Lastly temper with the items give under “To temper” table, followed by the finely chopped small onion and mix well.

Notes

  • I temper with coconut oil for extra flavour.
  • Depending on cooker's model and stove flame / heat, the number of whistle may vary.

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Method

1. Take chow chow firstly and peel off the skin using a vegetable peeler.

Chow chow kootu recipe | South Indian kootu recipes - Raks Kitchen (3)

2. Cut into quarters, and then each quarter into two. Then slice out the seed and whitish part in the middle.

Slice it thickly and then into strips. After that cut them into cubes.

Chow chow kootu recipe | South Indian kootu recipes - Raks Kitchen (4)

3. Now take a pressure cooker, add moong dal to it. On top of it add chow chow, turmeric, sambar powder and salt.

Add one cup water in such a way it dissolves the powders and salt and mix.

Make sure the dal is immersed in water. Give for 2-3 whistles.

Chow chow kootu recipe | South Indian kootu recipes - Raks Kitchen (5)

4. Meanwhile grind coconut with cumin and rice flour with little water to a paste.

I first grind the coconut with rice flour well, then add jeera lastly and grind coarsely as its flavourful that way.

Add it to the vegetable and mix well. Bring to boil.

Lastly temper with the items give under “To temper” table, followed by the finely chopped small onion and mix well.

Chow chow kootu recipe | South Indian kootu recipes - Raks Kitchen (6)

Serve with any kuzhambu varieties, or eat as such with steamed rice and ghee. Comforting!!

Chow chow kootu recipe | South Indian kootu recipes - Raks Kitchen (7)

Other Wholesome Kootu recipes

  • Zucchini kootu recipe, Indian Zucchini Recipes
  • Pavakkai pitlai recipe, bitter gourd pitlai
  • Spring onion kootu recipe, vengaya thal kootu
  • Green papaya kootu recipe, pappali kai kootu

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Nagalakshmi V

    this is my favourite kootu! absolutely love the sweetness of chayote

    Reply

  2. CHITRA

    I make the same adding green chillies. Love it a lot 🙂

    Reply

  3. Ramya Krishnamurthy

    looking delicious

    Reply

  4. Nivedhanams Sowmya

    So homey and very comforting kootu!!!
    Sowmya

    Reply

  5. Veena Theagarajan

    so creamy love this kootu

    Reply

  6. Sona S

    My fave kootu. Nice clicks, looks delicious.

    Reply

  7. Priti S

    one of my fav kootu ...I have standard sets of recipes from chow chow and this is one of it along with the dal ...looks yum

    Reply

  8. AparnaRajeshkumar

    looks yummy !!! my sister does the same procedure!!! lovely bowl !

    Reply

  9. Arrul mozhi

    Mouth watering .... I did the same .... But didn't added turmeric n rice flour...

    Reply

  10. Kaveri Venkatesh

    lovely clicks and nice bowl...my all time favorite kootu

    Reply

  11. Akila

    Love the bowl n the kootu

    Reply

  12. Sowmya's Kitchen

    Nice recipe. Guess u forgot to mention abt shallots in method

    Reply

  13. Sowmya's Kitchen

    Nice recipe. Guess u forgot to mention abt shallots in method

    Reply

  14. Raks anand

    Yeah!! Thanks for noticing and letting me know, will update! 🙂

    Reply

  15. Sowmya Madhavan

    I sometimes add curry powder to this kootu for a spicier taste..looks delicious..absolutely love that bowl..

    Reply

  16. Uma Ramanujam

    Nice one. Just having the similar one but with cabbage now. looks inviting.

    Reply

  17. Manaswini

    U wouldn't believe me if i tell u that I dint cook chow chow kootu just because it was not there in ur blog 🙂
    just had lunch and i open the laptop to see that u have uploaded the kootu :)..

    Reply

  18. Sowmya D.S.L

    One of my fav kootu... I make the similar way.. Looks delicious 🙂 I love all ur props raks !!

    Reply

  19. Harini Mukundhan

    This looks so comforting n hearty.Chow chow is my favorite too 🙂

    Reply

  20. Hamaree Rasoi

    Delicious and colorful kootu.
    Deepa

    Reply

  21. Apu

    Very nice - I make this often!

    Reply

  22. Raks anand

    Oh my God!! :))

    Reply

  23. Nagashree

    Sounds delicious, chow chow is one of my favorite veggies. New to me, will try next time I get chow chow.

    Reply

  24. Chitz

    I too love chow chow & my amma also prepares kootu in a very similar way 🙂 Love this simple comfort food 🙂

    Reply

  25. JEYASHRI SURESH

    Love this comforting kootu anytime. Love this cute prop

    Reply

  26. SHARMILEE J

    Looks very tempting....nice recipe too

    Reply

  27. Nisha Ravi

    Hi, Is Chow chow n dal added together or boiled separately????

    Reply

  28. Renuka S

    Good one 🙂 Thanks for the easiest recipe.

    Reply

  29. srividya

    I am not very fond of cooking..But your recipes are so easy and simple, I am just loving it. I just tried this recipe today and it has come out very delicious...Thanks...

    Reply

  30. Jayanthi Purushothaman

    Hi Raks, I tried this kootu though i am not fond of Chow chow and followed each and every step mentioned and it really turned out to be a good dish.. My husband liked it very much. Your blog is very nice and it really helps.. Keep Rocking... 🙂

    Reply

  31. vini

    Hi,
    I tried this.It turned out very tasty.
    Thanks,
    Vini

    Reply

  32. Rathy Kumar

    Lovely bowl!!

    Reply

  33. Danalakshmy jothi

    Hai Raks...
    i tried the similar one with capsivum and zuchini too..it came out well...

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Chow chow kootu recipe | South Indian kootu recipes - Raks Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

What is the English name for chow chow? ›

Chayote Squash, popularly known as Chow-Chow in India is a vegetable belonging to the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae. The thin skinned, big pear-shaped vegetable that goes with the botanical name Sechium edule, also referred as mirliton, pipinola, choko, originates from both Mexico and Guatemala.

What is Kootu? ›

Koottu (Tamil:கூட்டு), often transcribed "kootu", is a lentil and vegetable stew in South Indian, particularly Tamil and Kerala cuisines.

What is chow chow vegetable used for? ›

In Tamil Nadu, South India, chayote is known as maerakkai (மேரக்காய்) or chow-chow (சௌ சௌ) in Tamil and widely used in everyday cooking for recipes like sambar, kootu, poriyal, thuvayal, chutney and mor-kulambu. Chow-Chow is the common name used in the markets.

What is Chow Chow in India? ›

Chow-chow belongs to the gourd family, Cucurbitaceae, which is ubiquitous in India. It is, however, among the few gourds that have not originated in India.

What's the difference between Piccalilli and Chow Chow? ›

Chow chow and piccalilli are often mistaken for each other, yet although similar, they are slightly different. Picalilli relish simply has more vegetables in it than chow chow relish—that's the main difference between these two relishes.

What is Kootu curry made of? ›

It is a thick curry made with vegetables and legumes. The vegetables that are added in this curry are usually yam, ash gourd, carrots, snake gourd, pumpkins and plantains. The legumes used are black chickpeas, bengal gram.

How does kootu work? ›

Kootu fund is defined as a scheme or arrangement variously known as kootu, cheetu, chit fund, hwei, tontine or otherwise whereby the participants subscribe periodically or otherwise to a common fund and such common fund is put up for sale or payment to the participants by auction, tender, bid, ballot or otherwise and ...

What is the difference between sambar and kootu? ›

Sambar has an affluent relative in kootu. A flavourful curry made from mixed vegetables and lentils, kootu is slightly thicker than sambar. A kootu is packed with nutrition as different kinds of vegetables can go into it. The flavour turns out to be excellent when the spices are roasted and freshly ground.

Is it OK to eat chayote everyday? ›

Chayote is a mild-tasting squash with a crisp texture that's low in calories yet high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and protective plant compounds. Regularly consuming chayote may provide several health benefits, from improving the body's antioxidant defenses to lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels.

Is chayote OK for diabetics? ›

Studies have also found that chemical compounds in chayote can help to increase insulin sensitivity. This helps people with type 2 diabetes better control their blood sugar levels. Eating chayote can lead to significant reductions in inflammation and oxidative stress, processes that have harmful effects on body cells.

What is chayote called in India? ›

Chayote is known by different name in Indian regional languages such as Seema vankaya or Bengaluru vankaaya (in Telugu), Chocho or Chow Chow or Bengaluru katharikkai (in Tamil) etc.

What goes good with chow chow? ›

The most popular food to eat with Chow-Chow Relish in the south is pinto beans or black-eyed peas. As an item on your veggie tray. Use as a condiment on a shredded BBQ pork sandwich or Sloppy Joes. Use with almost any tuna - tuna salad, tuna burgers, tuna stuffed tomatoes.

Which part of Chow Chow is edible? ›

It is a perennial rooted vine that bears edible fruits. In addition to fruit, stem, tender leaves and tuberous roots are also eaten. The root, stem and seed contain high calorific value and carbohydrate content. It is mainly propagated by means of seed (whole fruit with seed)/ sprouted fruits.

What is chow chow in Southern cooking? ›

Chowchow is a pickled relish dish that was used to preserve summer vegetables for later in the year. Recipes for the relish are highly regional, and tend to be generational recipes, passed down through families. While no one batch is the same, a lot of Southern chowchows use tomatoes, cabbage, bell peppers, and onions.

What is the other term for chow chow dog? ›

Breed data
breed facts
other nameChow, Edible Dog
area of originancient China
breed groupnonsporting
height17–20 inches (43–51 cm)
3 more rows
Apr 2, 2024

Are there two types of chow chow? ›

Various colors and basically two coat types, smooth and rough coated. Black, red, cinnamon and cream colored chows are most common but there are some other colors.

Is chow chow the same as relish? ›

Chow chow is a pickled relish condiment that's typically made from a variety of vegetables. It can be eaten by itself or used to top dishes for some added tang, crunch and salt.

Why is chow chow expensive? ›

Around 10,000 Chows are registered in the U.S. every year. Although this breed is not very rare, the cost can be higher if your Chow Chow has a champion bloodline. Their blue tongues are another reason for this breed's high price. The price also depends if you are planning to buy a black, red, fawn, or white Chow.

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