I decided to keep it simple with my chayote since I’d never had it before. I chopped it in quarters and discovered a soft, pit-like thing. I discarded it. I probably could have kept it… but I didn’t know? What do you do?
Then I chopped it in pieces.
And I sauteed it with sesame oil, grated organic garlic, and chili powder. First I heated the oil and added the garlic to let it get crispy, then I added the chayote and chili. I used a cast-iron skillet (Wagner Ware, really old, from my Grandma) which is my new obsession.
It was good. It didn’t really taste like much besides garlic and chili powder (which I do love). I think it tends to take on the flavors of whatever you cook it with. I would definitely get it again, but it’s nothing terribly special. It’s cheap too, which is always good. I think it was about $0.79/pound, but I don’t remember exactly.
While I was cooking I snacked on a few pieces raw, and they were good too – nice and refreshingly crunchy. I think it would be good on a salad.
I did a litle research on chayotes – they’re members of the gourd family (melons, cucumbers, squash). It’s native to Mexico. Apparently the root, leaves, stem, and seeds of the chayote are all edible – but we usually just eat the fruit. From Wikipedia: “The leaves and fruit have diuretic, cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory properties, and a tea made from the leaves has been used in the treatment of arteriosclerosis and hypertension, and to dissolve kidney stones.”
Sounds good to me! Will you try it? I got mine at the Asian market but they’re also in Whole Foods, Mexican/Latino markets, and sometimes even regular grocery stores.
Hope you’re all having a lovely weekend… I went to the farmers’ market this morning but didn’t get anything. I also did some yoga and made an interesting bowl of green oat bran, which I’ll post about tomorrow probably. Enjoy the day 
June 27, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Hey Maggie,
I am mexican and my grandfather would make chayote with everything he would put it in soups and I remeber eating it with chorizo or some type of sausage I liked the soup its kinda tasteless I agree. My parents still cook mole my grandfather from mexico added peanut butter to it as a secret ingedient it was delicious my mom can cook it but I can”t .
June 27, 2009 at 4:47 pm
hehe, I love the word gourd!
June 27, 2009 at 5:51 pm
You’ve convinced me to check out that interesting squash! Sounds like it has lots of great benefits
. Thanks for the info, Maggie, and hope you have a great evening!
June 27, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Yay! That’s so cool to learn about “foreign” produce…That looks a lot like guava…does it taste like one?
June 27, 2009 at 9:58 pm
I’ve seen those at my ethnic grocery store, but never knew what to do with them! Thanks for this post!
June 28, 2009 at 12:09 am
I’ve seen these before but never tried them or knew what they were called. Thanks for the post!
June 28, 2009 at 3:11 am
That is definitely an interesting fruit (vegetable?) Looks like a pear! I love discovering and trying new fruits and veggies!
June 28, 2009 at 3:19 am
This sounds interesting…I thought it was a fruit but as you sauteed it I guess it’s more like a vegetable!
Enjoy your Sunday!
June 28, 2009 at 6:02 am
I have the same thoughts on the chayote… it’s rather bland alone but picks up the taste with whatever you cook it in!
June 28, 2009 at 7:24 am
Maggie,
Thanks for the chayote info. At least you figured out more about it – I just chucked the whole squash in my Vita-Mix and blended it up in raw soup. Your version sound much more exciting! Hope you have a good day. Looking forward to more info. about your green oats. I had an oatgurt disaster this morning myself.
June 28, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Chayote is so sweet and easy to dice and chop!
June 28, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Cool! I’ve seen this at the store. I’d love to try it.
June 28, 2009 at 5:38 pm
I liked steamed chayote!
June 28, 2009 at 10:17 pm
thank you maggie for taking the time to post all this awesome information and all the things you try. youve got me onto kabocha so i will def give this a try soon!
thanks, happy monday!
June 29, 2009 at 2:36 am
Maggie, you are so good about trying new foods. I need to start venturing out more! I haven’t even tried green oats yet! :/
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