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Ramps
The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime is a cross between a sour, loose skinned mandarin and a kumquat, therefore technically making it an orangequat.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Description/Taste
Chayote squash is small to medium in size, averaging 10-20 centimeters in length, and has a pear-like shape with deep linear indentations, folds, or puckers that run vertically along the fruit's skin that meet at its flower end. The pale green rind is thin, smooth, firm, and edible but is often discarded because of its tough nature. The creamy white flesh is crisp to starchy and becomes succulent to cottony as it matures, and the central core contains one small, edible seed. Chayote squash is crunchy and very mild with a slightly sweet taste and light notes of cucumber. The Chayote fruit is just one of the edible elements of the plant, and its tendrils, flowers, and roots are also consumed.
Seasons/Availability
Chayote squash is available year-round, with peak season in the fall and occasionally in the late spring.
Current Facts
Chayote squash, botanically classified as Sechium edule, is the fruit of a tropical, perennial, and prolific vine that can grow up to fifteen meters in length and is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family along with pumpkins and gourds. Although the most commercially known varieties are lime green and pear-shaped, Chayote squash varieties come in different colors, shapes, and textures with a shared common denominator of the flesh's color and the fruit's flavor. Chayote squash is used around the world in many different cultures and is predominately used as a carrier to soak up accompanying ingredients. It has adopted many other common names including Vegetable pear and Mirliton in North America, Sayote and Green Gold in the Philippines, Christophene in the Caribbean and France, Pipinella in Italy, Pipinola in Hawaii, and originally Chayotli by the Aztecs.
Nutritional Value
Chayote squash contains vitamin C, vitamin B-6, folate, dietary fiber, and potassium.
Applications
Chayote squash is best suited for both raw and cooked applications such as grilling, stir-frying, boiling, steaming, and baking. When young, they can be sliced or shredded in salads and slaws along with ingredients such as citrus, cabbage, arugula, and fresh herbs. They can also be pickled and preserved. When ripe, Chayote squash can be peeled, sliced, and added to soups, stews, curries, and casseroles. Fully mature Chayote can be boiled and mashed or slow roasted and served like a potato as an accompaniment to main courses featuring grilled meats and fish. When slicing into the raw fruit, it is recommended to wear gloves as the squash secretes a sticky, nontoxic residue which may cause some irritation to sensitive skin. Chayote pairs well with chile peppers, cream-based sauces, bacon, curry, mole, garlic, onions, both soft and hard cheeses, melon, cumin, coriander, oregano, cilantro, lemon or lime juice, almonds, and coconut milk. They will keep up to four weeks when wrapped in a paper towel, placed in a plastic bag, and stored in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Chayote squash is widely used around the world in a variety of culinary applications. Cajun cuisine popularly uses Chayote squash to make stuffed chayotes or pirogues, which translates to mean "dugout canoes." In Louisiana, Chayote squash has long been a popular backyard fruit and growth of it dates back to 1867. In Latin America, Chayote is commonly used like pumpkin and is made into a sweet pie. Chayote is also used in the Philippines to make chop suey, stir-fries, and soups. In addition to culinary uses, the vines are utilized in the West Indies to make sturdy, woven ropes.
Geography/History
Chayote squash is native to Mesoamerica, specifically central Mexico. It was one of the earliest cultivated plants within the New World, though there is no definitive archaeological evidence to prove just how long Chayote squash has been in existence. Today Chayote squash can be found at specialty grocers and farmers markets in North, Central, and South America, Australia, Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-380-9840 |
| Miguel's Cocina Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-437-4237 |
| Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-944-1631 |
| Miguel's Cocina Carlsbad | Carlsbad CA | 760-759-1843 |
| Mangia Mangia (Mirarmar) | San Diego CA | 858-736-5733 |
| Miguel's Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-298-9840 |
| Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
| Carte Blanche Bistro & Bar | Oceanside CA | 619-297-3100 |
| Portside Pier (Brigantine) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Miguel's Cocina Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2401 |
| Our Green Affair | San Diego CA | 858-337-9196 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| Miho | San Diego CA | 619-365-5655 |
| Viejas Casino Buffett | Alpine CA | 760-845-9931 |
| The Plot | Oceanside CA | 422-266-8200 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Chayote Squash. One
is
easiest, three is harder.Recently Shared
People have shared Chayote Squash using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Country Farms Market
Near Mountlake Terrace, Washington, United StatesAbout 72 days ago, 5/14/21 Sharer's comments : A popular squash alternative used a lot in Central America. Love them in 🫓 pupusas! 
Walmart
Walmart Supercenter - Happy Valley
Near Glendale, Arizona, United States2501 W Happy Valley Road #34 Phoenix AZ 85085 623-780-5702 https://www.walmart.com About 554 days ago, 1/18/20 
Super Indo Cinere
Near Ciputat, Banten, IndonesiaAbout 574 days ago, 12/29/19 Sharer's comments : labu siam 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Trevino Farms
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesLompoc, CA About 690 days ago, 9/04/19 |
