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Chayote SquashThese caught my eye while grocery shopping this weekend.  I never heard of them, had no idea what they were or how to use them so I thought to myself, what a great produce pick!

After a bit of research I discovered they are originally from South America but are now grown in the states and you can pretty much use them like zucchini. 

When I cut into it I discovered mine was a bit firmer and crisper then zucchini.  The texture actually reminded me of Jicama but not quite as sweet.  So I diced it up and used it in my Sausage and Diced Veggie Skillet Recipe.  The texture added a nice crunch. 

I’ve read that you may want to peal it and not eat the seeds.  From my experience (which mind you, is only 1 squash), the skin was fine when cooked and I didn’t even notice a seed.  I’m thinking the one I chose happened to be young.

So onto the best part of this new find, ½ cup is only, get ready for this, 11 calories with 2 g of fiber! What a great veggie to add to recipes to bulk them up!

So if you used this neat squash please let us know your experience and if you haven’t, I recommend giving one a try if you can find them. 

Picture and nutritional info stolen from http://www.fruitsandveggiesmatter.gov/month/exotic_vegetables.html


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8 Responses to Chayote Squash

  1. Jan says:

    I have never seen or heard of these before. I wonder if I can find them up here in the great white north?

  2. bonita says:

    Hi. This is used in Mexican cooking. Add it to your chicken or vegetable soup as one of the veggies.

  3. Anonymous says:

    I think this is the same thing as a mirliton which is used in cooking in New Orleans around the holidays to make shrimp and mirlitons.

  4. Aninha says:

    I live in Brazil and chayote is a staple food for me! I like it steamed or in soups. I always peel it and remove the white seed inside. You should always peel and cut it under running water because otherwise your hands might get sticky.

  5. Lagumbeau says:

    These are called Mirlitons in Louisiana. I’m sure there are tons of recipes out there listed under Mirlitons. I found one at http://www.wwltv.com/frankdavis/gsrecipes/mirlitoncasserole.htm

    His recipe is not ww friendly but can easily be converted.

  6. Roni says:

    Lagumbeau – Thanks I did NOT know that!

  7. [...] day and I’m spent.  I did have time to post a new tip and I added another picture to the chayote squash post.  I didn’t think the one I used really showed what they looked [...]

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