Ingredients

• 1 cup -chayote quash (chow-chow), peeled and grated
• 2 -tomatoes, medium size, diced small
• 1/2 cup - diced onion or shallots
• 1/2 tsp -salt
• 1/2 -1 tsp -hot pepper powder (milakai podi in Tamil)
• For seasoning
• 1-2 tsp oil
• 1/2 tsp -black mustard seeds
• 1 tsp -washed black gram dal
• 1 tsp- washed Bengal gram dal
• 1 sprig- curry leaves

How to Make Squash In A Flash

• In a non-stick pan heat 1 tsp oil over medium heat. Add onions and saute until tender.
• Add tomatoes and cook till they get mushy.
• Now add salt and the grated chow-chow. Increase the heat, add the hot pepper powder and cook the vegetable dry turning often (exercising caution not to burn it) for about 5-10 minutes.
• When it is cooked, reduce heat.
• Taste and adjust the salt and hot pepper powder.
• Now add the thalippu and the dish is done.
• For thalippu: In a small skillet heat 1 tsp oil. Add the mustard seeds. If the oil is adequately hot they should crackle and pop instantaneously. Add the dals at once and let them fry to a golden brown. It takes only a few seconds. Then add the curry leaves, stir and turn off the heat.
• To serve:
• Can be side dish for rice with sambhar, rasam or buttermilk.
• Can be eaten mixed with plain rice and ghee.
• Can eat with naan or chapatti.
• Can be used as a sandwich filler.
• Can serve as canape on crisp cracker or toasted French bread slice topped with a dollop of sour cream.