Kitchen Dictionary: chayote

Known as vegetable pears or mirlitons, chayote are a subtropical member of the squash family, eaten as a vegetable. This pear-shaped, gourdlike fruit, has a single seed and a taste similar to zucchini. It is commonly used in Creole cuisine, especially around New Orleans in the winter, as a festive dish with a seafood stuffing.

Ingredient

Season: October - March

How to select: Look for small, firm and unblemished fruit.

How to store: Refrigerate in a plastic bag for up to a month.

How to prepare: Use as you would summer squash or split and stuff like an acorn squash or use raw in salads. Because it has a mild taste, it is often used with strong seasonings.