benazir's blog

Chayote Sqaush And Green Chilies

I love this chayote squash a lot. I seen some that are prickly that looks like chayote squash but it may be another variant. I usually get the smoother smaller ones. Besides I love all types of squash because this are my absolute favorite vegetables. However we are just going to deal with chayote squash again for this recipe.

First on high heat dry roast 1 pinch each of chana ki dal and urad ki dal. These are a type of lentils you can pick up and buy in any Indian and Pakistani store along with the spices you will need for this recipe. Put the roasted dal in the mortar and pestle for grinding. Add 1 pinch of black peppercorns and grind until it is a powder.

In an instant pot turn it on to sautè function for 6 minutes. Add 1/4 cup of either corn, canola or vegetable oil. To this add 1 tbs of either butter ghee, coconut oil, mustard oil or almond oil. Add 1 pinch each of hing, mustard seeds, kalounji, fennel seeds, fenugreek seeds and cumin seeds and let them splutter. Add the contents of the mortar and pestle, 3 curry leaves, 1 onion or shallot in half moon slices that is caramelized, 4 cloves of garlic minced, stir and you can either use 1 pinch of turmeric powder in the instant pot or 1 small tiny piece of fresh turmeric in the mortar and pestle along with 1 small piece of ginger and grind it and add it to the instant pot.

Add 1 green chili chopped, either add 1 pinch of frozen unsweetened coconut or desiccated coconut. Stir and add 1 pinch each of red chili powder, paprika, pink salt, 1 whole round red chili that has been crushed, stir and add 1 tomato and let cook until it turns mushy. Add 2 chaote squash that has been washed and diced. Fold and mix with the masala. At this point you can add 5 cups of water. The sautè function should be over and shut off automatically. Just check and make sure it is by pressing cancel to turn off the cooker.

Now place the pressure cooker lid on top of your instant pot and make sure it is in the sealing position. Press the pressure cook button and select the time for 20 minutes and press start. You can turn the keep warm button off. When you done all of this you can walk away and do something else until you hear a noise signaling the time is up. Place your steam diverter on your cooker and either let it depressurize on its own or tap the quick release button. When there is no pressure remaining then check the food and see if it is soft. In case it is slightly crunchy then you may repeat. The second time around somethimes that it would come out soft and delicious. Enjoy this with naan or basmati rice.

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