Exploring the MiRLITON AKA CHAYOTE SQUASH..RECIPE & ideas

I have often seen these in the stores and markets but have never tried to cook them that is until now.
They are a terrific easy vegetable and make great stuffed vegetables that are attractive enough for mid week meals with the family or entertaining.

They can be stuffed with anything, fish, fowl and dairy, I prefer mine stuffed with vegetables and rice. The squash flavor is bland and it is a good idea to make terrifically tasty fillings.



Serves 4


2  chayote squash/mirlitons

sea salt

cut in half and remove the seeds,

 Then boil in salted water for 25 mins..or until tender when poked with tines of a fork.
Remove from heat, wait until cool enough to handle and scoop out the  flesh, leaving a 1/4 inch around the skin, using a teaspoon, into a sieve/colander

Set aside, when cold chop into  small pieces.

to make a good BASIC vegetable filling:


2 tbsp grape seed or olive oil

2 cloves garlic smashed and minced
1 cup minced onion
1 cup minced carrot
1/2 cup minced leeks
2tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried marjoram

Sweat all the vegetables ( adding the cooked squash) in the oil and add the herbs, season to taste with sea salt and pepper.

add 1/2 cup apple juice or white wine  and reduce the liquid by half, then add
1 cup herbed dried breadcrumbs or cooked rice
1/4 cup minced parsley.

Mix well and check seasoning.

Carefully fill the squash shells. Either drizzle with oil or top with a pat of butter.
Place in a butter/oiled casserole and bake for 25-30 mins uncovered in a preheated 350F oven.
Serve with a fresh marinara sauce or a cheese bechamel

Variations:

Add any chopped seasonal vegetables of choice..the variety is only limited by your imagination.
Add chopped nuts.
if using greens add some dried fruit to counteract the sulfurness
Top or add cheese/yogurt/cream.
use any ground spice of choice, nutmeg, cardamon, coriander, ginger
Add cooked beans, lentils, tempeh.
make them Thai style adding fresh mint, basil and hot spices

Make more use of these easy to make vegetables, and make a statement!!

These are tender squashes, not thick skinned like Butternut and acorn squashes, and are better, as they have fresher flavors.