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Chayote — which also goes by vegetable pear, mirliton, and Buddha’s palm, among other names — is a type of squash that’s native to Mexico. In the Philippines, it’s typically cooked in sautéed and stewed dishes, as well as soups. When I was growing up, my mom would often make a Filipino vegetable dish known as ginisang sayote (which translates as sautéed chayote), in which chayote is quickly sautéed with onion, garlic, sometimes tomatoes, and either ground pork or shrimp.
Directly inspired by that dish, this sautéed chayote comes together in about 30 minutes. To make it, cook thinly sliced chayote in a pan along with lightly browned garlic and softened onions. Once it’s tender, season the dish with fish sauce and lots of freshly ground black pepper. Serve with a bowl of hot white rice for a light-yet-filling meal or round it out with grilled fish or meat.
What Is Chayote Squash?
Bumpy, green chayote is a type of squash. It has a mild flavor with hints of cucumber and apple. Although the squash is native to Mexico, it is grown around the world. You can often find chayote in mainstream grocery stores, as well as Asian, Mexican, and Caribbean markets.
How to Pick the Best Chayote
When shopping for chayote, look for ones that are free of blemishes, firm to the touch, and even in color.
Chayote can be eaten raw, pickled, cooked, and fried. If served raw, it has a crunchy texture that’s reminiscent of jicama or honeydew melon. Even when cooked, chayote will retain a slight crispness.
However you choose to enjoy it, always start by washing your chayote. From there, you can either peel the chayote or leave it unpeeled. (I always peel mine, just like my mom does. It’s purely for aesthetic reasons; the peel itself is a bit more opaque than the flesh, which veers more translucent). Then, slice it in half lengthwise and remove the pit and the white part surrounding it at the center of the squash.
Because chayote is sold ripe, you’ll want to keep yours on the kitchen counter or in the refrigerator for a few days. If your kitchen is running warm, store it in the refrigerator right away.