Mirliton, Andouille, & Gulf Shrimp Dressing

My "tweaked" version of a Commander's Palace recipe. This has quickly become an instant Thanksgiving favorite. Really, a taste of New Orleans! If mirliton (or chayote squash) is unavailable, you can substitute eggplant. Important: Boil the mirlitons BEFORE peeling them, as peeling raw mirliton is murder on your hands!

• Ready In: 2 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 1  cup butter
• 1  large onion, medium diced
• 3  celery ribs, medium diced
• 1  yellow bell pepper, medium diced
• 1  red bell pepper, medium diced
• 6 -8  garlic cloves, chopped
• 1  lb andouille sausage, medium diced
• 2  tablespoons fresh thyme leaves, chopped
• 3  bay leaves
• 2 -3  lbs  gulf shrimp, medium, peeled and de-veined
•  creole seasoning
• 3  cups  chicken stock
• 8  cups  French bread, roughly chopped and lightly toasted
• 8 -9  medium mirlitons

Directions

1. Cook unpeeled mirliton in salted water 40 minutes to an hour or until fork tender. Drain and cool, but do not shock with cold water. Peel with vegetable peeler, remove seeds and mash lightly, drain some, but not all liquid that accumulates after mashing.
2. In a large soup pan, melt butter and brown andouille. Add onions, celery, peppers, garlic, and herbs. Cook over medium heat until vegetables are tender.
3. Add shrimp, Creole seasoning and chicken stock; cook until shrimp are just cooked. (pink and curled). Remove bay leaves.
4. Remove from heat and add mirlitons, then bread, stirring with a wooden spoon until bread is moist but not too wet, adjust seasoning. You may add more bread or stock depending on dryness.
5. Grease 3 in deep casserole with butter, add dressing, and cover with foil.
6. Bake in preheated 350F oven 50 minutes or til bubbly around edges; remove foil and continue cooking until brown, about 30 minutes.