--- title: "Chow chow kootu recipe, how to make chow chow kootu" url: https://www.cookingandme.com/chow-chow-kootu-recipe/ date: 2011-04-13 modified: 2022-11-01 lang: en author: "nags" description: "Chow chow kootu recipe, learn how to make chow chow kootu or chayote squash kootu recipe, a Tamil-style recipe that goes great with rasam and rice. No kootu I've ever..." categories: - "Gravy Vegetarian Side Dishes" - "Tamil Recipes" image: https://www.cookingandme.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/5603176038_6df926171d_z.jpg word_count: 536 --- # Chow chow kootu recipe, how to make chow chow kootu Chow chow kootu recipe, learn how to make chow chow kootu or chayote squash kootu recipe, a Tamil-style recipe that goes great with rasam and rice. ![Chow Chow Kootu Recipe | Tamil-Style Kootu Recipe](https://www.cookingandme.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/5603176038_6df926171d_z1.jpg) No kootu I've ever made has looked as pretty as this Chow Chow Kootu. The mom-in-law made this the day after they landed in Singapore earlier last month. Thank God I had some chow chow languishing in the fridge. Sometimes, letting vegetables stay in there results in good things - like this kootu. You can also try making [chow chow chutney recipe](https://www.cookingandme.com/2012/03/chow-chow-chutney-recipe.html) and [chow chow sambar](https://www.cookingandme.com/2008/02/chow-chow-sambhar-with-curd-rice.html) if you love this vegetable (also known as chayote squash) as much as we do. ## Chow chow kootu recipe ![](https://www.cookingandme.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/5603176038_6df926171d_z-150x150.jpg) - 2 cups chow chow (cut into small cubes)- 1/2 cup channa dal / Bengal gram / kadala paruppu #### Grind Together: - 1/2 cup grated coconut- A pinch of turmeric- 1 tsp jeera / cumin seeds- 1/2 tsp red chilli powder- 1 green chilli (optional)- Salt to taste #### For Tempering: - 2 tsp coconut oil- 1/4 tsp mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp urad dal (optional)- A generous pinch of hing / asafoetida- A few curry leaves - Wash and soak the Bengal gram- Add to the cut, cleaned chow chow- Add 4 cups water and bring to a boil- Add turmeric powder and a few curry leaves and cook on simmer until the chow chow is cooked soft and the Bengal gram is cooked yet firm (about 15-20 mins)- Add salt- While the chow chow and Bengal gram cooks, grind the ingredients under "grind together" with a bit of added water- Add to the cooked chow chow mixture- Mix well and simmer until all extra water is absorbed and the mixture takes a thick consistency- Heat oil for tempering and add ingredients in the order given- Once the mustard seeds pop and the urad dal turns brown (if using) dunk everything into the kootu mixture and mix well- Adjust salt- Serve hot with rice and kuzhambu of choice Vegetarian SidesIndian **Step by Step Chow Chow Kootu Recipe:** Wash and soak the Bengal gram for around 30 mins to 1 hour ![chow chow kootu recipe](https://www.cookingandme.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/chow-chow-kootu-recipe.jpg) Add to the cut, cleaned chow chow ![chow chow kootu recipe](https://www.cookingandme.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/chow-chow-kootu-recipe-2.jpg) Add 4 cups water and bring to a boil ![chow chow kootu recipe](https://www.cookingandme.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/chow-chow-kootu-recipe-3.jpg) Add turmeric powder and a few curry leaves and cook on simmer until the chow chow is cooked soft and the Bengal gram is cooked yet firm (about 15-20 mins) ![chow chow kootu recipe](https://www.cookingandme.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/chow-chow-kootu-recipe-4.jpg) Add salt ![chow chow kootu recipe](https://www.cookingandme.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/chow-chow-kootu-recipe-5.jpg) While the chow chow and Bengal gram cooks, grind the ingredients under "grind together" with a bit of added water ![chow chow kootu recipe-6](https://www.cookingandme.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/chow-chow-kootu-recipe-6.jpg) ![chow chow kootu recipe](https://www.cookingandme.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/chow-chow-kootu-recipe-7.jpg) Add to the cooked chow chow mixture. Wash out the grinder and add 1 cup water to this mixture. ![chow chow kootu recipe](https://www.cookingandme.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/chow-chow-kootu-recipe-8.jpg) Mix well and simmer until all extra water is absorbed and the mixture takes a thick consistency ![chow chow kootu recipe](https://www.cookingandme.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/chow-chow-kootu-recipe-10.jpg) Heat oil for tempering and add ingredients in the order given ![chow chow kootu recipe](https://www.cookingandme.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/chow-chow-kootu-recipe-11.jpg) Once the mustard seeds pop and the urad dal turns brown (if using) dunk everything into the kootu mixture and mix well. Adjust salt. Serve hot with rice and kuzhambu of choice ![chow chow kootu recipe](https://www.cookingandme.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/chow-chow-kootu-recipe-10.jpg) **Notes: ** - If the chow chow kootu is too watery even after simmering for a while, mix 1 tsp rice flour with some water and add to the mixture. Bring to light boil and the mixture should get thicker. - Another alternative is to drain the water once the chow chow and channa dal have cooked. I don't prefer this method too much because of the loss of nutrients through the water.