Chow chow
Chow chow or as commonly known as chayote is an edible plant that belongs to the gourd family Cucurbitaceae along with melons, cucumbers and squash. The plant has large leaves that form a canopy over the fruit. The vine is grown on the ground or more commonly on trellises. Chow chow was first domesticated in Mexico, where the fruit is used in both raw and cooked forms.
In the most common variety, the fruit is roughly pear or apple shaped, somewhat flattened and with coarse wrinkles, ranging from 10 to 20 cm in length. It looks like a green pear and it has a thin green skin fused with the white flesh, and a single large flattened pip. The flesh has a fairly bland taste, and a texture described as a cross between a potato and a cucumber. Although generally discarded, the seed has a nutty flavour and may be eaten as part of the fruit. When cooked, the vegetable is usually handled like summer squash, and it is generally lightly cooked to retain the crisp flavour.
Culinary uses
1. Raw chow chow may be added to salads or salsas, and it is often
marinated with
lemon or lime
juice.
2. Although most people are familiar only with the fruit, the root, stem, seeds, and leaves are all edible.The tubers of the plant are eaten like
potatoes and other root vegetables. In addition, the shoots and leaves can be consumed, and they are often used in salads and stir fries, especially in Asia
3. The fruit does not need to be peeled and can be eaten raw in salads. Cooked or raw, it has a very mild flavor by itself, and is commonly served with seasonings (e.g., salt, butter and pepper in Australia) or in a dish with other vegetables and/or flavorings.
4. It can also be boiled, stuffed, mashed, baked, fried, or pickled.
5. In India, chow chow squash is which needs to be peeled off before cooking cut and added to lentils and cooked similar to sambhar , mor kuzhambu, koottu, mendhya kozambu or curry. She even sliced them and made hot bajjis for the evening tea. which is then relished with steamed rice.
6. Chow chows peels used for the curry.
Health Benefits of Chow chowWhether raw or cooked, chayote is a good source of amino acids and
vitamin C. The leaves and fruit have diuretic, cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory properties, and a tea made from the leaves has been used in the treatment of arteriosclerosis and hypertension.
Low in calories (16kcal/100gms) hence can be consumed in large quantities. High source of
dietary fiber hence prevents constipation. This is relatively good source of
folates, which is important for pregnant ladies consumption, to prevent neural defects in the newborn. Provides moderate levels of
potassium.
Very good source of Vitamin C, which potentially prevents cancer.
Helps iodine in keeping thyroid healthy, by providing copper, a mineral which is required in thyroid metabolism.
Helps prevents acne, as it has good source of
zinc, a mineral which controls the hormones that produce oil in the skin. It lowers blood pressure levels.
Good for the brain as it contains
Vitamin B6, which is important for the brain functioning.
Read More at
WikipediaAlso see
White Chayote
