What is Chayote Squash and What Do I Do With It?
What is Chayote Squash and What Do I Do With It? Chayote (chai·ow·tei) squash, also known as mirliton squash or Mexican pear squash, is a small summer squash native to Mexico but now found worldwide in warmer climates.
Chayote, like the tomato, is technically a fruit although it is almost always prepared as a vegetable. This squash looks like a large, lumpy, unripe pear.
It has a color ranging from pale green to dark green with white flesh. Another favorite that we have discovered is cucamelons or Mexican Mouse Melons, these we grow each year at home.
Some varieties have a spiny texture to the skin while others are smooth but bumpy. While chayote can be eaten raw or cooked, it is more commonly cooked unless being served in a salad or as an appetizer.
Raw chayote drizzled with lemon or lime juice and a pinch of salt is a favourite snack in many Southern households. The skin is edible and full of nutrients so leave it on when preparing chayote.
Check out our new How-To section to learn more about unusual produce plus great ideas for the kitchen and home.
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Benefits of Chayote Squash
Chayote is very healthy and is used as a replacement for starchy vegetables such as potatoes. A cup of chayote has 25 calories and only 6 grams of carbs so chayote is very popular with people who are doing Keto or other low-carb diets.
It is a good source of vitamin C, vitamin B, potassium, and amino acids. Chayote has been used in traditional medicine in Latin America and Asia for its anti-inflammatory properties and chayote tea is a common natural treatment for a variety of ailments.
What Does Chayote Squash Taste Like?
If you have ever tried Jicama they are a bit similar as Chayote is slightly sweet but also very, very juicy and crunchy like Jicama. Unlike Jicama’s colouring though Chayote is green on the outside to white or pale green on the inside.
The first time I tried them I thought it was honeydew on my plate but when tasted they burst with juice and were served hot with salt, pepper and butter.
How to Cook Chayote Squash
There are a number of ways to cook chayote squash. All parts of the plant can be used depending on how it is prepared.
In South-East Asian cuisine, the young shoots of the chayote plant are used in a stir fry while the leaves and the fruit itself are used in soups.
Chayote can be used as a substitute for or in combination with other summer squash and roasted. Because it is water-rich, you should not add salt until after it is done cooking or it can become dehydrated.
Instead, simply chop the chayote fruit into small pieces and toss with about 2 tablespoons of oil – olive oil is a great one to use. Roast for 15-20 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
You can use the roasted chayote as a side dish on its own or add it to a casserole or curry.
You can also grill chayote fruit by slicing it into medium slices (about the same thickness as you would zucchini or eggplant), brushing with olive oil and grilling for 4-5 minutes per side.
One of the most popular uses of chayote squash is in soups. Because of its mild taste, the chayote squash is well suited to be used in soups. It does well with bold flavours and ingredients such as chipotle and hot peppers as it helps balance them out.
Also, another note that when preparing chayote it tends to leave a white film on your hands that dries and feels restrictive and tight. For me it has just washed off. This is from the sap of the fruit. If you want to avoid this then use gloves while preparing.
Where do I Buy?
Chayote squash can be found in some grocery stores or specialty fruit and vegetable markets. In the summer it can sometimes be found at Farmer’s Market.
Depending on where you live, chayote can be available year-round. If you don’t see it, try asking your produce manager, and remember to check under the name mirliton as well.
Ripe chayote should be firm to the touch and the skin shouldn’t have any soft spots on it. Store chayote squash in the fridge and use within a few weeks for optimal freshness.
Have you cooked with chayote squash before? What are your favorite things to do with it?
Stacie says
I have to give this a try. I’ve never heard of Chayote Squash, but I’m a squash lover, so I’m into it.
Tara Pittman says
I have heard of this squash but never tried it. I am interested in trying it and need to buy one.
Jaime Prideaux says
Wow, I have never heard of this squash before. The raw squash with lemon or lime or salt sounds interesting. I would like to try that! Thanks for sharing!
Jeanine says
What in the world. How have I never seen or heard of Chayote Squash before. I am going to have to ask my husband if he has, very neat.
Kathy says
I’ve never heard of this type of squash before. I do love squash too. I’m interested to try this out. Looks like it would be good too.
Heather says
I’m almost positive that I’ve tried this before. We were always eating all types of different squashes when I was a kid.
Toni says
I haven’t tried it yet but I think it would be great for salads!
Catalina says
What an interesting vegetable! I am so curious to taste it! Thanks for sharing it!
Rachel says
We have a produce store that always has interesting produce. I do like jicama so I will have to try this.
Ruth I says
It’s called sayote in here. Really cheap and you can make lots of dishes using it.
Claudia Krusch says
We have so many Brazilian recipes with it! I’m well familiar with it! Thank you for sharing it!
Eileen M Loya says
We slice chayote into small cubes, then saute it in garlic, onions, and tomatoes. Add some stock, a little salt and pepper and simmer until soft. Then we add spinach. Great as a side dish!
Tara Noland says
That sounds amazing, we have got to try this recipe, thank you!!
Christy Mattson says
I cut it up raw and put it in pickle juice then eat it with hummus!
Tara Noland says
That would be awesome too.
S E Silva says
I used to go to my Mom’s neighbor’s house to visit after school, she was a Great Cook! One day I went over and she had so many apple pies, I couldn’t even count them all. She cut me a slice, and of course, as usual I had seconds, it was so good. Then she let me in on her secret. She had used the Chayote squash that was growing out of control in her back yard. Cut up the squash as you would an apple, added all the sugar and spices you would use for apples. Excellent way to use the squash and couldn’t tell the difference from regular apple pie.
Tara Noland says
That is a very cool story, I could see that working too! They are mild-flavored and the texture is like an apple.
Mike says
I use it in stir fries – I find it coexists well with other vegetables like peppers and potatoes.
It’s a good bachelor vegetable, since it’s durable and keeps well.
Brian says
Love to blanch it, then cut lengthwise. Remove seed and discard. Scoop out some flesh into a mixing bowl. Mix flesh with fresh garlic, onion, salt, cayenne, bread crumbs, chunks of Andouille or kielbasa sausage, & prepared wild rice. Stuff mixture into mirliton halves and bake at 350 degrees. Squeeze lemon when serving…yum!
Tara Noland says
What a great recipe, thank you so much for sharing it here!!
PF says
Is it safe to eat the seed? Some people say it is poisonous. I like the taste of the seed and have eaten it in the past, but no longer.
Tara Noland says
From the little readings I have done the entire vegetable is edible, skin, flesh, and seed.
Nancy says
Uh-oh … I just ate the seed! This is my first experience with this vegetable/fruit. I have a couple of recipes courtesy of Pati Jinich, so am trying it. First is a Chayote and red onion salad, with a vinaigrette dressing. Next I’ll try her chayote, green apple, and jicama salad.
Tara Noland says
I like her recipes, enjoy the chayote!!
PF says
I use it in Soup together with the other vegetables. Add Chili and Cilantro, and it makes a traditional recipe.
Nzaramba says
I ate so many chayote in my childhood even until nowadays. In Rwanda, some regions of northern, western band southern province grow them and rarely in eastern province.
They’re edible vegetables and are very delicious, I like them the most!
Tara Noland says
Would love to know how you cooked Nzaramba.
Elenuté says
I saw a stack of these in the store and wondered what they were, who would buy them. So, I bought them and now I’m looking forward to trying it.
Tara Noland says
Enjoy, they can be served in so many ways!!
Wynn says
In South Africa we also get the white one. Also called Sousou.
As a simple salad, peel and slice them, boil for 10 min. Slice onion thinly, pour boiling water over it, leave for a while. Drain the water off the onion. Season with pepper and salt. Add some vinegar and olive oil.
Add to the drained Sousou and serve as a side dish.
Tara Noland says
That sounds amazing for a simple salad at any time!!