Food

Food Information

Vegetables

Tropical

CHAYOTE

The chayote is an unusual-looking but fine tasting squash. It is pear shaped, resembles a pale green avocado, and is often covered with hair like spines that are usually removed prior to shipment to market. The chayote has a single flat seed.

The flesh is fiber-free and similar in texture to zucchini. Unlike most other varieties of squash, the chayote retains much of its crisp texture after being cooked. It may be cooked with other vegetables, but is flavorful enough to stand alone. The natural seed cavity makes it ideal to use as a boat. Stuff it with cheese or ground beef and then serve it on the half-shell after baking it. One-half of a chayote makes an ample but low calorie serving. Chayotes require refrigeration.

Deamer 5/97