Chayote or Chou-Chou or sou-sou ....

[Zurie]

Some time, long ago, there was quite a discussion about this gourd-type vegetable. It has various regional names:



Today I found all the answers that I doubt we could answer at the time.

It's very popular on Mauritius (the Indian Ocean island), the food writer says. (As far as I know it's used widely on the African continent and prefers a warm, temperate climate).

"The locals eat both the fruit and the leaves in many interesting recipes that usually involve chilli (hot pepper).

" ... the botanical name is Sechium Edule and it is a member of the gourd family....

"The texture is firmer than a squash, and though bland, chayote soaks up flavour beautifully ...

"I enjoy them peeled, cubed, steamed or boiled, the tossed in some butter and seasoned. I always add a pinch of ground nutmeg. They can also be eaten raw, peeled and sliced in salads. They are excellent in stews and curries and can be added to soup too."

(Acknowledgement: Hilary Biller in the Sunday Times Travel and Food supplement, July 17, 2011)

It has 1 large seed which can be germinated in damp cotton wool and transplanted in a sunny spot.

My own experience of "Shu-Shu", as my mom-in-law called it, was that it is really extremely bland! No wonder the Mauritians add chilli! It tastes more or less like steamed/boiled zucchini.

[JoyfulCook]

We had them growing in our garden in Nairobi, but they were called choko's, mum used to stuff them, but they were not a favourite of mine!

[Molly53]

I wonder if you'd enjoy these recipes, Zurie: MY MIRLITON/CHAYOTE RECIPES

[Zurie]

Thank you, kind Molly!! But I think I'll skip them! Not only are they hard to get here -- it's not their kind of climate (sea and wind), but I never liked them!

It's so good of you to find heaps of recipes when no-one else knows where to get them!

If anyone again wants to know about chayote/shu-shu's, I'll remember this thread and point them toward your recipes! Thanks so much!

[duonyte]

They are apparently used in Mexican cuisine, the Mexican markets in my area always have them.

[Molly53]

I hear you when you say you don't like them, Zurie, but FYI there are more than 100 recipes for them in the db: http://www.food.com/recipe-finder/all?foodido=12298,12299,16442

[JoyfulCook]

In East Africa we called them Choko's mum grew them in the garden vegetable patch

check this out here