Chayote Dry Curry
As a parent, I have resorted to all sorts of “games” to get my daughter to eat healthier. One of these “games” (when she was in single digits) involved us going to the store and her picking up a vegetable or fruit that was new to her. Of course, the power of choice had her enjoying whatever she picked out over something familiar that I made. Yes – once she actually enjoyed eating boiled bitter melon over honey glazed carrots! Go figure!
This month, The Recipe Redux took us on a trip down memory lane by having us revisit this game! You see, I have had the honor of being a Recipe Redux member for a little over a year now and have kinda gotten addicted to their monthly challenges. This month’s challenge was to cook or bake with a new ingredient. So, my daughter and I headed to the store and came home with some Chayote (pronounced chah–yoh–teh)…
I first came across Chayote on Ramona’s blog when she used this South American staple to make Sri Lankan chow chow that’s often used in Sri Lankan Christmas Cakes. I am thinking that I’ve probably walked by this funky looking member of the gourd family in the produce section of my grocery store many times but never gave it a second glance – till this month’s challenge.
To me, raw Chayote tastes a bit like a cross between cucumber and jicama. When I perused the interwebs, there seemed to be a trillion ways to cook chayote. I opted to go the savory route and keep things simple so I could taste the chayote when it was cooked and not overpower it with spices in this Chayote Dry Curry. I lightly sauteed it with my favorite trio of onions-garlic-ginger and threw in a tad bit of mustard seeds, garam masala and paprika and, snacked on it with the chopsticks that Bobbi sent me – gorgeous aren’t they?
This curry can be paired with some rice, mixed veggie curry, and chutney for a tasty meal.
Ingredients
- 3 chayote - skin peels off seed in the middle removed and then chopped
- 1 onion chopped
- 3 garlic pods chopped
- 1/2 inch piece of ginger chopped
- 2 teaspoons mustard seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt and pepper
- 3 tablespoons vegetable stock
- 1/2 lime
Instructions
- Add chopped onions, ginger and garlic into a pan with olive oil and let saute on a low flame for about 12-15 minutes
- Then add the chopped chayote, vegetable stock, mustard seeds garam masala, and paprika and stir well
- Let cook covered for about 5-7 minutes (if you want the chayote really soft, then keep cooking for about 10-12 minutes)
- Garnish with chili flakes or cilantro or parsley and lime juice and enjoy warm
Do you have a new ingredient that you have cooked or baked with recently? Or, is there one you want to try?
Have you tried chayote?
Loved it !! Will make a lot .Can also add cubes of Pumpkin
Absolutely loved this recipe. I only had 2 large chayotes but I kept everything the same . . . . excellent, fast, delicious!!
I’ve never tried chayote before, but I like cucumber and jicama so I guess I should give it a go 🙂 Thanks for showing us how to cook it up!
Thanks so much Caroline
I absolutely love love this Sashi. WE use it so much in South Indian cooking and this looks and sounds so so delicious. In fact after you asked me, I was talking to mum and she said that she makes halwa out of it I’ve even eaten it.
Love it my dear and those chopsticks.
xx
Oh wow – your mom makes halwa with chayote?! Now I would love to taste that! That must be so so good! Usually South Indian and Northern Sri Lankan cuisine have a lot in common, but chayote is new to my mom – and me – though I have been out of the country for three quarter of my life!
BTW Thanks so much sweet friend!
Love chayotes! I usually make “fries” with them but I’m definitely trying this!
Thanks so much Sarah!
Shashi, I love that “game” that you played with your daughter, I can’t wait to try it with Sienna. I’ve never had chayote but I’ve definitely seen it on lots of cooking shows and at the market. Your preparation looks wonderful!
Sonali – I cannot wait for you to try it with Sienna too – I used to play so many games with my gal to get her to eat her veggies – she was born a carb lover! There was this other game where I’d get her to try different colored foods – like 3 peas, 2 carrots, 1 tomato – math and veggies in one!
BTW Thanks so much!
I’ve never tried chayote….I’m not even certain I can find it in my local grocery stores. Although, it could be one of those items I’ve just looked right past. I will have to start searching!
Kathy – I found it at Kroger – TBH, I walked by these so many times before! I hope you get to find chayote.
Thanks so much!
Chayote has always intrigued me and I have yet to try it! Love all of the seasonings you used – can’t wait to pick some up!
Thanks so much Alanna!
Your savory Chayote dish looks scrumptious, Shashi! We must try your recipe soon at our house as we’ve never tried it before. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much Stacy!
Definitely new to me! Can’t wait to try it!
I sure hope you do Kelli 🙂
Interesting. I don’t think I’ve seen chayote before!
Chayote is definitely intriguing indeed Rebecca!
We don’t get these here but I’m always up for trying something new 🙂
Me too Tandy! 🙂
At first I thought this was a potato curry! Then I saw the chayotes. I think we call those chokos. We used to have them growing on a fence when I was a teenager. We never really knew what to do with them. They’re very bland and I think putting them in a curry is a great idea xx
“Chokos” – gosh I am so intrigued! I need to do some more research on chayotes – they are indeed bland – but are good at absorbing whatever they are spiced up with! Thanks Charlie xx
This looks great! SO full of flavor and super creative! Great recipe! 😀
Thanks so much Kennedy!
I love how simple this is! I’ll have to try it with my kiddos. 🙂
Thanks so much Kalee – hope your kiddos enjoy it 🙂