Chayote Squash in a spicy sauce / Seeme Badanekayi Gojju / ಸೀಮೆ ಬದನೆಕಾಯಿ ಗೊಜ್ಜು

Gojju is a mixture of vegetables in a spicy, tangy, sweet sauce. We can make gojju with many vegetables - Brinjal(EggPlant), Lady's finger (Okra), Chayote squash, Spring onions,Sweet Pumpkin, Kohl rabi.It is usually a side dish in the meal. There are 2 ways to spice it, using green chillies or dry red chillies. Here is the recipe with red chillies.I have used Chayote squash (seeme badane kaayi).

Chayote / Chow Chow (Image source Wikipedia)

Servings: This recipe makes about 2 quarts/2 litres of Gojju (6 - 8 servings)

Ingredients:

2 big Chayote Squash / ಸೀಮೆ ಬದನೆಕಾಯಿ ( 2 cups cut pieces)
Salt / ಉಪ್ಪು to taste
½ tsp Turmeric /ಅರಿಶಿನ
1 tbsp Tamarind paste /ಹುಣಿಸೇಹಣ್ಣು ರಸ

Masala to be ground / ಮಸಾಲೆ ತಿರುವಿಕೊಳ್ಳಿ
3 tbsp Chana Dal / ಕಡಲೆಬೇಳೆ (dry roast)
1 tsp fenugreek seeds/ ಮೆಂತ್ಯ (dry roast)
3- 5 dry red chillies / ವಣ ಮೆಣಸಿನಕಾಯಿ (dry roast)
1/2 cup Grated Coconut /ಕಾಯಿ ತುರಿ / ಕೊಬ್ಬರಿ
small piece Jaggery /ಬೆಲ್ಲ OR 1 tbsp sugar /ಸಕ್ಕರೆ

Seasoning / ಒಗ್ಗರಣೆ
Oil / ಎಣ್ಣೆ
Mustard seeds /ಸಾಸಿವೆ
Asafoetida/ Hing / ಇಂಗು
Dry red Chilli / ವಣ ಮೆಣಸಿನಕಾಯಿ

Method:

Peel and cut the chayote squash into small pieces. Transfer the pieces into a 2 quart or bigger vessel, add some water and cook on stove top. When the squash is almost cooked add salt, turmeric powder and tamarind paste.

In the mean time, in another small pan dry roast chana dal, fenugreek and red chillies till you get the aroma from them, about 3-5 minutes. Along with this add grated coconut, jaggery or sugar and grind it into a paste with water. Then pour this paste into the cooked squash. You can add water and make it into desired consistency. Stir it and bring it to a boil. Switch off the stove. In another pan pour oil, add hing , mustard seeds and dry red chillies. Pour this seasoning into the gravy. Gojju is ready. You can serve this with rice, chapathi, dosa.

Another way to make Gojju with different spices