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Seema Vankaya aka Bengaluru Vankaya Tomato Kura ( Spicy Chayote Squash / Chow Chow and Tomato Curry )
Posted by KALVA at 2:46:00 PMSeemavankaya aka Bengaluru Vankaya ( called in telugu ) is my favorite squash not just for its unique texture but also for the pappu(seed) inside. I remember when we were kids we used to fight for that seed(pappu ) in seema vankaya sambar. This is from the family of squash but less spongy than bottle gourd( sorakaya ) and holds its shape when cooked unlike sorakaya(bottle gourd ) or beerakaya( ridge gourd ). I have fallen for this beauty for its unique sweet flavor. This Chayote squash curry with tomatoes can pack quite a flavor and nutrition punch! This dish is going to HEART OF THE MATTER- Quick and Easy.
My favorite way of preparing this dish is making sambar just with this vegetable with toor dal, tamarind and green chillies, which tastes as simple as it sounds. Another simple authentic andhra dish is to make poriyal or stir fry with tadka or talimpu and adding lots of coconut at the end.. This way of cooking chayote squash makes the dish so mild you can just finish the whole bowl without any rice. And another classic recipe is Seemavankaya Noonevankaya Kura( Chayote squash with tamarind and spices ) which is a simple curry cooked with the guthi vankaya( stuffed eggplant / brinjal ) masala and tastes spicy and tangy.
I was so happy when i first saw this cutie at the local grocery store which was so petite and smooth unlike the ones back home which weren't that smooth as they had some very thin tiny thorns. The best part, these guys have longer shelf life and very versatile to cook. Hope i have introduced this veggie a bit now,, lets move on to my version of Chayote squash curry which is so simple, cooks quickly and yet tastes great. This is my first time making the curry this way ( yep you call it experimenting.. ). Adding some toasted coriander seeds powder and big chunks of tomatoes at the very end added so much flavor to this dish. This chow chow curry is a super healthy dish with very little oil packed with full of flavor.
For talimpu/tadka / Seasoning:
- 1 tsp cumin seeds( jeelakarra)
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 tsp urad dal( optional)
- 1 -2 tbsp oil pinch of turmeric
- 5-6 curry leaves ( optional - i didn't have them on hand )
How to prepare seema vankaya kura:
- FYI you can follow the above pictures for step by step procedure
- Peel the squash and chop into 1 inch pieces( you can use the seed i.e pappu too )
- Wash them and keep aside
- Chop each tomato into four pieces and slice green chillies length wise( or chop them )
- In a kadai, heat oil and add the seasonings,once they start to splutter add curry leaves, green chillies and chopped chayote squash
- Stir in some salt and cook it cooked under medium flame
- Keep stirring and at about 5 min check if the squash is cooked yet firm and holding it shape( not mushy ). At this point add tomatoes and cook under high flame for 2-3 mins( tomatoes should not be cooked completely )
- Stir in coriander powder and fry for 1 more min.
- Add chopped cilantro and adjust salt to taste
- Tada your simple spicy chayote squash curry is ready to relish.
You can serve this simple spicy seema vankaya kura with hot rice or rotis. Next time when i am in a hurry for some curry, i am going to opt in for this curry for sure..
Notes: Want this curry to be a gravy, chop tomatoes very fine, add some water and cook covered
Tags: Seema vankaya kura, Bengaluru vankaya tomato kura, Seema vankaya talimpu
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32 COMMENTS:
Thank you so much for this entry! It sounds and looks delicious!
Thanks Liva. would like to contribute to the event every month.. Wonderful event!
I make the sambar too, we call it Khammam poppu :) Like this new way of using chayote squash...good one Kalva!
This is different.. I usually make kootu and more recently a pitlai from it.
I need to cook with squash more, I love it and never cook with it...I should really try this.
curry looks delecious kalva i make this curry but i dont add tomato next time i will try your recipe
I'll have mine with rice, thank you.
Yes Namratha Sambar with this chow chow is delish.. i like it very much and my moms tastes far far better than mine.
Laavanya yes, kootu with moong dal is very good.. Also if you can make some dal with toor dal, chayote squash, tomatoes tamarind and green chillies, tastes yum, i like chayote for its unique sweetness..And Pitali>> hmm never heard of it..lemme google it!
Yes Meeso, Seemavanakaya aka Chayote squash tastes great and the best part its readily available in almost all regular grocery stores.Hope you would bring these cuties home..
that is truly simple. would love it with rotis..
finally a seema vankaya kura. I have been making pappu with it and it didn't even occur to me to make a curry out of it. will try it and let you know how it turns out :)
Love the dish. Adding the tomatoe tip is really good
Hey Kalva. I am not able to recognize the subzi. Can you pls post a pic next time you buy it, so that I know what to buy?? Your recipe looks simple n yummm
Shella, Thanks for visiting my blog.. Heres the picture for chayote squash ( i googled for the image ) http://www.all-creatures.org/recipes/images/i-chayote.jpg I will take a picture next time i buy and i will post it..
Hey I love your blog your recipes look delicious. :-)
I too have an chayote curry in my archive...Yours looks yummy !!
Yes Sagari, adding tomato gives that extra zing to the chayote squash curry
Yes Cynthia steaming hot rice goes very well with the spicy squash talimpu
Thanks Naga,, tastes great with rotis too, but if want it to be a little gravy for the same add some water and cook covered. Delicious seemavankaya kura is ready for rotis..
Looks delicious!
Hi Kalva!You have a great blgo here.I have too many recipes to bookmark and try from here.I liked your pineapple dessert.wil try it some time and let you know.Thanks for so many nice recipes.
madhavi
Yes Sowjanya, pappu with seems vanakaya is so good along with some tomatoes and tamarind. Another one is a poriyal which is so simple yet tastes great!
Happy cook, yes adding tomato enhanced the flavor and the zing to chayote squash curry
Nice photo of dry curry in kadai. I always love the curry of kadai. For my Tiffin I always made dry curry. Nicely cut the green chilies into oval shape. It’s looks delicious.:)
yummy curry :)
Wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year .
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I am a freelance writer in Mumbai and currently exploring writings on Indian food blogs and different stuff that they write / discuss.
Would appreciate if you could answer the following questions for me.
1. What new flavors, recipes have you tried or noticed in the recent past?
2. What experiments have you tried? Any fusion foods?
3. Which of these have worked and why?
4. What new trends / changes do you see in everyday cooking and why?
5. What new food products would you like to buy to make everyday cooking easier and fun?
You may also mail your response to tasteofindia2008@gmail.com
sounds hot and spicy~~~jus the way i like it~~~
it is very very yummy... i just tried it... seema
Glad you liked the recipe Seema!
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