Chingri diye Aloo Squasher Dalna (Chow Chow Prawns Curry - Bengali Style)

           This is just a simple Bengali style curry made of Chow Chow / Chayote. It is the non-veg. version where I added some prawns. You can omit it and add instead some fried vadi / dried lentil dumplings for a veg. version. Enjoy it with some hot steamed rice for lunch or with chapatis for a light dinner. So check the step by step pictorial recipe to prepare this traditional homemade delicacy.

• 2 medium size Squash (chow chow), cubed
• 1 potato, cubed
• 8-10 large prawns
• 3 tbsp. mustard oil
• 1-2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp. celery / nigella seeds
• pinch of asafoetida
• 1" ginger
• 1 tsp. cumin seeds
• 3-4 green chilies
• 1/2 tsp. turmeric powder
• salt to taste
• 1 tsp. garam masala powder
• 1 tsp. ghee
• 1 tsp. coriander leaves, chopped

          Grind ginger, 2 green chilies and cumin seeds with little water into a paste. Keep aside. Marinate the prawns with a pinch of salt and turmeric powder for 5-10 minutes.

         Heat oil in a pan and fry the potatoes and prawns separately. Drain and keep aside. Temper the same oil with bay leaves, celery seeds and asafoetida. Saute for a few seconds.

          Now add the ground paste and turmeric powder. Stir fry till the oil separates. Add the chopped chow chow and salt to taste. Mix everything well and simmer, covered for 2-3 minutes.

          Add 1 cup water, fried potatoes and prawns. Cover and cook on a low flame till done. Switch off the flame and add the ghee, remaining green chilies and garam masala powder. 

           Give it a stir and garnish with coriander leaves. Serve as a side dish with either rice or chapatis.

   

                          Heat oil & fry potatoes & prawns separately. Drain & keep aside. 

                           Temper same oil with bay leaves, celery seeds & asafoetida. Saute
                           for a few seconds.

                    Add ground paste of cumin seeds & ginger & turmeric powder. Stir fry
                     till the oil separates. 

                    Add chopped chow chow & salt. Mix well & simmer, covered for 2-3 min.

                    Add 1 cup water, fried potatoes & prawns. Cover & cook on a low flame
                    till done. 

                      Switch off flame & add ghee, remaining green chilies & garam masala
                      powder.  Give it a stir and garnish with coriander leaves. 

                               Serve as a side dish with either rice or chapatis.