Chayote

Chayote is a mild tasting Squash variety. This is the same family as Cucumbers.

Here is link from Wikipaedia that gives more information about Chayote http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chayote

I used Chayote today to make a tamil(South Indian) dish called Chow-Chow kootu. Chow chow is the Indian word for Chayote. This dish is made of chayote and lentils and coconut gives a rich flavor.
Here is the Ingredient list:

1 Chayote,chopped
2-3 spoons,shredded coconut
2-3 Red chillies
Moong Dal,1 cup(Split Green bean)
1/2 small onion,chopped finely
Curry leaves,few
1/2 spoon, mustard seeds
1/4 spooon,jeera
Turmeric powder,1/8 spoon
Asafoetida, a pinch
Salt,to taste and Cooking oil for the seasoning
Corriander leaves/Cilantro,garnishing

Boil the lentils in water till it is cooked well. I used a pressure cooker and swtiched it off after 2 whistles. In a separate pan, boil chayote pieces for about 3-4 minutes in water or milk. I used milk as it gives a unique richness to this dish. Keep aside. In the meanwhile, coarsely grind coconut with red chillies and jeera. Again, take a pan and add the dal(lentils) and the chayote. Let it come to a boil. Add the ground coconut paste. Again,let it boil so that the coconut paste mixes well into the dish. Now,in a skillet, add cooking oil,about 1 spoon and when it is hot add the seasoning ingredients: mustard seeds, turmeric powder, asafoetida and curry leaves.Finally, add onion and saute for 2-3 minutes. This seasoning is to be added to the boiling chayote gravy. Switch off the stove and garnish with cilantro/corriander leaves.

I served this with Spinach parathas and raita. Dinner is complete.