Chayote Salad

Chow Chow Salad.

Chayote is finely chopped and lightly cooked in oil. Black chickpeas are soaked overnight and cooked till soft. Freshly chopped tomato and onion are mixed along with warm chayote and black chickpeas. Few spices are mixed into the salad and lemon juice is squeezed at end for freshness.
Makes: around 1 1/2 Cups of Chayote Salad

Ingredients:

Chayote 1
Black Chickpeas 1/2 cup
Onion 1 small
Tomato 1 large
Green Chile 1 – 2
Cilantro few springs
Cumin Powder 1/4 tsp
Red Chile Powder 1/4 tsp
Turmeric Powder a pinch
Black Salt 1/4 tsp
Salt to taste
Lemon Juice 1 tsp
Oil 1 tsp

Method of preparation:

Wash, halve, deseed and finely chop chayote.
Heat oil in a pan, add chopped chayote and salt.
Cook covered on medium flame till chayote softens a bit.

Soak black chana in water overnight and pressure cook the soaked chana in enough water for 3 whistles.
Peel, remove ends and finely chop onion.
Wash and finely chop tomato.
Remove stems, wash and halve the green chiles.
Wash and finely chop fresh cilantro.

In a mixing bowl, mix thoroughly cooked chayote, cooked black chana, chopped onion, tomato, cilantro, red chile powder, cumin powder, turmeric powder, black salt and salt if necessary.
Stir in lemon juice and serve chayote salad.
Notes: Don’t overcook chayote.

Suggestions: If chayote is uncooked, sprinkle a tbsp of water and cook covered till it softens a tiny bit.
Variations: A pinch of chaat masala can be sprinkled at end. Heat a half tsp of oil, add cumin seeds. Once they change color, add this to the chayote salad.
Other Names: Cho Cho Salad, Chow Chow Salad.