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    Home » Curry » Gravy Curries » Chayote Curry

    Chayote Curry Recipe | Chow Chow Masala Curry)

    Published: May 27, 2011 · Modified: Apr 16, 2020 by Pavani · 27 Comments

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    Chayote curry is a simple and delicious side dish that is great to serve with either roti or rice. Chow-Chow is cooked in an easy to make spicy tomato gravy.

    White bowl with Chayote Curry with bowl of rice

    It is always important to have some quick and easy recipes in ones repertoire. These come in very handy when you are short of time, especially on a busy weeknight. Here's one such curry in a hurry recipe that can be made in less than 30 minutes. I rely on my pressure cooker or my Instant pot to make these quick recipes.

    Chayote Squash | Chow Chow

    Chayote squash aka chow chow is one of my favorite vegetable. It has a nice crisp, almost pear like texture. Along with many South Asian cuisines, it is also widely used in Latin American cuisine. It is savory and is eaten raw in salads and salsas. The root, stems and leaves of the chayote plant are also edible. Here's some more information on national center for food preservation.

    My mom makes a simple dry chayote curry with just sauteed chow chow that is flavored with curry leaves and fresh grated coconut. That is my favorite way of enjoying this vegetable, but today's gravy is also equally delicious.

    White bowl with chow chow curry

    Ingredients:

    To make this chow chow masala curry, you need the following ingredients:

    • chayote - look for evenly colored, firm, blemish-free squash. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
    • onion
    • tomato
    • ginger-garlic paste
    • garam masala or curry powder - I used MTR brand curry masala that I bought recently and it gave the dish the bright orange-red color and subtle masala flavor that was not too over-powering.
    • ground almonds - I add this to thicken the sauce. Feel free to use ground cashews or almond meal or even almond butter.
    • milk - to give the sauce a gravy consistency. To make the dish vegan, substitute milk with water.
    Step by step photos of making curry

    Instructions:

    I make this curry in the pressure cooker because it is quick and needs only 10 minutes of hands-on time. You can use an instant pot or even make it on the stove top. How-to's for these are included under tips.

    • Heat oil in a pressure cooker, add tempering ingredients and once the seeds start to splutter, add the onions and sauté until lightly browned around the edges, takes about 4-5 minutes.
    • Add turmeric and ginger+garlic paste at this point; mix well and cook for 1 minute.
    • Add tomato puree and cook for 3-4 minutes.
    • Next add ground cashews, red chili powder, curry powder, salt and chopped chayote. Mix well.
    • Add ½ cup of milk (if using) or water, no need to add too much water since chayote gives out moisture while cooking.
    • Close the lid and pressure cook on medium flame for 2 whistles.
    • Once the pressure drops, open the lid and serve hot with rice or rotis.

    Chayote Curry (Chow Chow Masala Curry)

    Chayote curry is a simple and delicious side dish that is great to serve with either roti or rice. Chow-Chow is cooked in an easy to make spicy tomato gravy.
    Author: Pavani
    Print Pin Rate
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    Prep Time: 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 20 minutes mins
    Total Time: 45 minutes mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: andhra
    Servings: 4 servings

    Ingredients

    • 1 tbsp Oil
    • 1 tsp Urad dal
    • ½ tsp Mustard seeds
    • ½ tsp Cumin seeds
    • 8 - 10 Curry leaves
    • 2 Medium Chayote/ Chow chow, peeled and chopped
    • 1 Large Onion, finely chopped
    • ¼ cup Tomato puree
    • ½ tsp Red chili powder
    • 1½ tsps Garam Masala or Curry powder
    • ¼ tsp Turmeric
    • 1 tsp Ginger+Garlic paste
    • 2 tbsp Ground Cashews
    • ½ cup Milk (optional)
    • To taste Salt

    Instructions

    • Heat oil in a pressure cooker, add urad dal, mustard & cumin seeds and curry leaves. Once the seeds start to splutter, add the onions and sauté until lightly browned around the edges, takes about 4-5 minutes.
    • Add turmeric and ginger+garlic paste at this point; mix well and cook for 1 minute.
    • Add tomato puree and cook for 3-4 minutes.
    • Next add ground cashews, red chili powder, curry powder, salt and chopped chayote. Mix well.
    • Add ½ cup of milk (if using) or water, no need to add too much water since chayote gives out moisture while cooking.
    • Close the lid and pressure cook on medium flame for 2 whistles.
    • Once the pressure drops, open the lid and serve hot with rice or rotis.

    Notes

    • This curry can be made in an Instant Pot as well. Follow the recipe as written and cook on high pressure/ manual for 4 minutes.
    • The curry can also be made in a skillet - will just take a little longer, may 15 minutes to cook chayote until tender.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cooks_hideout or tag #cookshideout!
    White bowl with chow chow curry and a spoon

    Tips

    • To make this dish in an Instant Pot - follow the recipe as written and cook on high pressure/ manual for 4 minutes. Then let the pressure release naturally.
    • The curry can also be made in a skillet - will just take a little longer, may 15 minutes to cook chayote until tender.
    • Substitute chayote with zucchini or bottle gourd or potato in the recipe.

    Few more recipes to try:

    • Spicy Chayote Curry
    • Mixed Vegetable Sagu
    • Masoor dal Sambar
    White bowl with curry

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    Comments

    1. Uma Srinivas

      April 30, 2020 at 2:55 pm

      5 stars
      Chayote curry looks good with all those spices. I make most of the time sambar. This looks interesting Pavani. Next time I will try this curry.

      Reply
    2. Sapna

      May 01, 2020 at 4:14 am

      5 stars
      I have never cooked with chow chow. It sounds delicious, will have to try once. Lovely pictures Pavani.

      Reply
    3. Sasmita

      May 01, 2020 at 10:51 pm

      5 stars
      Love this simple and delicious side dish using Chayote.
      Such a great side dish to serve with roti or rice. I never tried my hand with this Chow-Chow yet 😉

      Reply
    4. Jagruti's Cooking Odyssey

      May 02, 2020 at 1:47 am

      5 stars
      Yet to try chow-chow in our kitchen, making curry with it a lovely idea. What does it taste like? I feel like it tastes must be similar to lauki or turai?

      Reply
      • Pavani

        May 02, 2020 at 9:45 am

        Hi Jagruti, texture of chayote is a little like lauki - crispier I would say. Do try it out - it's delicious.

        Reply
    5. Jayashree T.Rao

      May 05, 2020 at 2:16 am

      5 stars
      I used to make chayote earlier but never made in a gravy version. It is ideal with chapati or phulka.

      Reply
    6. Leo

      July 06, 2021 at 1:24 pm

      4 stars
      Nice

      Reply
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