Tamil Nadu Recipes: How To Cook Comforting Stews And Curries With Chow-Chow (Chayote Squash)

The time period Colombian Alternate was first utilized in 1972 by American historian and professor Alfred W. Crosby in his environmental historical past e-book of the identical identify. It has now develop into a extensively used time period by historians, particularly meals historians, to explain the assembly level of what was thought of the Outdated World and the New World within the fifteenth Century. It refers back to the widespread switch of crops, animals and even ailments that adopted the 1492 voyage of the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus (therefore the identify). It marked the unfold of American crops like potatoes and tomatoes to the remainder of the world in addition to crops from the Outdated World (The Japanese Hemisphere) similar to rice and wheat to the New World.

Chayote (Botanical identify: Sicyos edulis) was one of many elements that originated within the New World and was extensively cultivated in trendy Mexico and Guatemala. It was additionally a part of the Colombian Alternate. We all know this as Chow-Chow in Tamil Nadu or Seeme Badanekaayi in Karnataka. This vegetable (additionally thought of a fruit in some areas) can also be utilized in Northeast India, Nepal and plenty of elements of Southeast Asia. It is also extensively utilized in Creole and Cajun delicacies within the US.

You possibly can describe this as a pear-shaped vegetable with skinny pores and skin and a succulent, virtually fleshy consistency. Its why Chayote is known as Chayote Squash. In South India, it is a common ingredient in sambar and accompaniments like a kootu (see recipe). One in all my favorite dishes with Chow-Chow is the Extra Kuzhambu (that may be greatest described as a buttermilk gravy) much like a kadi. The fleshy textures and gentle flavours of this vegetable play out rather well on this dish. The hot button is to not overcook this vegetable. This ensures it would not get too mushy and retains its fleshy and barely crunchy texture.

It is comparatively low on energy and comes with a bunch of dietary advantages. It is a wealthy supply of Vitamin C and B6 that construct immunity and your power metabolism. The vegetable additionally incorporates antioxidants (like myricetin), magnesium, and potassium and is taken into account good for coronary heart and liver well being. It is also wealthy in dietary fibre. Some consultants suggest it for weight reduction as a result of it would not include fats.

You may check out these easy but flavourful recipes and make the most of the well being advantages of Chow-Chow:

Chow-Chow Kootu

Elements

• 1 Chow-Chow
• 1/4 cup Moong dal 
• 1 tbsp Sambar powder
• 4 shallots (small onions) 
• 1/4 tbsp Turmeric 
• Salt as required 

To grind 

• 1/4 cup Coconut grated 
• 1/2 tbsp Cumin seeds 
• 1/2 tbsp rice flour (non-obligatory) 

To mood 

• 1 tbsp Oil 
• 1/2 tbsp mustard 
• 1 tbsp Urad dal 
• 1 sprig of curry leaves  

Directions 

• Peel the pores and skin off the Chow-Chow. Minimize them into half and clear the center half.
• Chop into small thick cubes.
• Add moong dal in a strain cooker. Then add Chow-Chow, turmeric, sambar powder and salt.
• Add a cup of water and ensure the dal is immersed in water. Stress cook dinner for 2-3 whistles.
• In the meantime, grind coconut with cumin and rice flour with a little bit water to a paste.
• Add it to the cooked vegetable and blend effectively. Convey to a boil.
• Mood the elements (underneath the ‘to mood’ checklist) and add them to the cooked combination. Stir and blend effectively.
• Serve with sizzling steamed rice.

 Chow-Chow Extra Kuzhambu recipe (Chow-Chow Buttermilk gravy) 

Elements: 

• Bitter curd (Thick bitter curd overwhelmed) -1/2 cup 
• Freshly grated coconut – 1/4 cup  
• Chow-Chow – 200 gm  
• 1 tablespoon Cumin 
• turmeric – 1/4 teaspoon 
• 1/2 tablespoon Urad dal  
• 1/2 teaspoon fenugreek 
• 1/4 teaspoon Coconut oil   
• Inexperienced chillies – 4 to six 
• Curry leaves – a couple of sprigs 
• Salt – to style  
• Mustard – 1/4 teaspoon 

Methodology:

• Fry the Chow-Chow with a little bit turmeric and curry leaves  
• Add some water  
• Fry urad dal and fenugreek individually in coconut oil 
• Add the inexperienced chillies  
• Mix this combination with the cumin seeds to a wonderful paste and add some water and salt as you do  
• Add this combination to the Chow-Chow and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes  
• Add the overwhelmed curd – add some water to this curd till it reaches a thick lassi consistency.  
• ‘Mood’ this with the curry leaves and the mustard seeds.

About Ashwin RajagopalanI’m the proverbial slashie – a content material architect, author, speaker and cultural intelligence coach. College lunch bins are normally the start of our culinary discoveries.That curiosity hasn’t waned. It’s solely bought stronger as I’ve explored culinary cultures, road meals and wonderful eating eating places the world over. I’ve found cultures and locations by way of culinary motifs. I’m equally captivated with writing on client tech and journey.