Name: Chayote squash stir-fry
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 3 medium chayote squash (seemebadnekai or chow chow); 2 tbsp coconut oil (see notes); 1 tsp mustard seeds; 1-2 dry red chilli; ½ tsp cumin seeds; 1 tsp split black gram ((urad dal)); 1 tsp Bengal gram ((chana dal)); ½ tsp asafoetida (hing); 1 tsp ginger paste; 6-7 curry leaves; 1-2 green chilli (finely chopped); ½ tsp turmeric powder; Salt (to taste); 2-3 tbsp coconut (fresh, grated); ½ lemon; Coriander leaves

Gluten Free Dairy Free Low Carb Vegetarian

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Chayote squash stir fry (seemebadnekai palya) step-by-step recipe with photos and video.

Chayote (or chow-chow or choko) is a summer squash that belongs to the gourd family. Technically, it is a fruit and is pear-shaped (it resembles an unripe pear) but it is definitely not eaten as a fruit. This less-known vegetable is quite common in South Indian cooking. It is called seemebadnekai in Kannada and is commonly used to make sambar (dal), palya (subzi/curry), and chutney.

This healthy vegetable is a great source of fiber and is packed with folates and magnesium. It is also low in calories and carbs. This vegetable is pretty bland in taste and can easily adapt to the flavours of the dish. This vegan dish is ready in less than 15 minutes once the chayote is peeled and chopped. In fact, peeling the chayote is the most time-consuming part of making this dish.

I make chayote squash stir-fry in coconut oil, but you may choose to replace it with any cooking oil of your choice. It is important to cook this dish without adding any water. The water content in chayote should be used to cook this dish. This also gives the dish a slight char which lifts its taste and flavour.

This dish pairs well with both rice and roti, and is perfect for quick and easy weekday meals. Do give this easy dish a try.

For more Karnataka recipes, click here.

CHAYOTE SQUASH STIR-FRY RECIPE VIDEO:

Chayote squash stir fry (seemebadnekai palya) step-by-step recipe with photos:

1. Wash and peel the chayote squash. Cut them into small cubes

2. Heat coconut oil in a frying pan or kadhai and prepare tempering (seasoning)

3. Add chayote squash

4. Mix everything well, cover and cook

5. Increase the flame and let the excess moisture evaporate

6. Turn off the flame, then add coconut, coriander leaves and lemon juice

Chayote squash stir-fry

Shilpa

Karnataka-style chayote squash stir-fry or seemebadnekai palya is an easy to make dish ready in 15 minutes

5 from 1 vote

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Course Side Dish
Cuisine Indian, Karnataka

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 25 mins

Ingredients

3 medium chayote squash seemebadnekai or chow chow
2 tbsp coconut oil see notes
1 tsp mustard seeds
1-2 dry red chilli
½ tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp split black gram (urad dal)
1 tsp Bengal gram (chana dal)
½ tsp asafoetida hing
1 tsp ginger paste
6-7 curry leaves
1-2 green chilli finely chopped
½ tsp turmeric powder
Salt to taste
2-3 tbsp coconut fresh, grated
½ lemon
Coriander leaves

Instructions

Wash and peel the chayote squash. Cut them into small cubes
Heat coconut oil in a kadhai or frying pan and add mustard seeds
Once the mustard splutters, add dry red chilli, cumin seeds, urad dal, and chana dal
Next, add green chilli, ginger paste and curry leaves. Saute for a few seconds
Add turmeric powder and salt. Mix well
Add chayote squash and mix well
Cover and let it simmer until the chayote squash are cooked completely
Increase the flame and let the excess moisture evaporate
Turn off the flame, then add coconut, coriander leaves and lemon juice
Serve hot with rice or roti

Video

Notes
I cook the chayote squash without any water as adding water will make the dish very bland. Hence, the amount of oil is slightly more than regular palya or stir-fry. You may choose to reduce the amount of oil to 1 tbsp but this may burn the dish if not monitored.

Nutrition Facts

Chayote squash stir-fry

Amount Per Serving

Calories 62 Calories from Fat 36

% Daily Value*

Fat 4g6%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Sodium 33mg1%
Potassium 129mg4%
Carbohydrates 7g2%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 1g2%

Vitamin A 45IU1%
Vitamin C 37mg45%
Calcium 21mg2%
Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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