About Chow-Chow Vegetable
March 4, 2020 | by Sravani Pathakamuri | Posted in Nutrition Facts
Chow-Chow is a common inexpensive vegetable that belongs to the gourd family, along with melons and cucumbers. It is also known as seema vankaya in telugu. It is known by different names in different places. In some countries it is called cho-cho, pear squash, Chayote, chow chow, squash or Bangalore brinjal .
Though chow-chow is a rare and often vegetable, It is regarded as especially unpalatable, it means long shelf life and tough in texture, raw chayote may be added to salads or salsas, most often used along with lemon or lime juice.
Chayote is a green coloured,pear shaped vegetable, it emits a mild flavour which makes versatile for many variety of dishes.
Chow-Chow can be mixed with many other vegetables like cauliflower, carrot, tomato, onions etc, all are mixed and can preserve for certain period. We can also add shredded coconut while cooking it as curry.
Chayotes have a mild cucumber-like flavor and can be prepared in many ways, may used as raw or cooked. Chayote skin or rind is also edible but not as tender as its flesh, so it’s better to remove skin is better idea. The seed in the center of the fruit is also edible.
Nutritional Facts
Chow-Chow is a good source of vitamin C, vitamin B-6, folate, dietary fiber, and potassium.
Like many other types of squash, cho-cho is a good source of fiber. Fiber helps you to feel full and satisfied after eating so that it is easier to maintain a healthy weight. Fiber is also an important nutrient for a healthy digestive system.
Chayote also contain phytochemical and pharmacological properties. Some researches proved that, chow-chow contain polyphenols including phenolic acids, tannins and stilbenes. Polyphenols are known to have antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticarcinogenic and hypoglycemic effects in the body.
Chayote may reduce several heart disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and poor blood flow.
Chayote squash is low in total carbs and high in soluble fiber, which may help regulate blood sugar levels.It helps to maintain insulin levels .
Folate or vitamin B9, are important for pregnant women or who are planning for pregnancy, folate is also rich in chayote which helps for brain development and useful in iron absorption.
Benefits
- Promotes heart health
- Contains potent antioxidants
- Manages blood sugar level
- Helps in health pregnancy
- Lowers cancer risk
- Delays age related eye sight
- Supports liver function
- Improves digestion
- Helps to maintain healthy weight