Chayote Casserole Recipes

MIRLITON (CHAYOTE) CASSEROLE

Steps:

• 1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the mirlitons and cook until tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from the heat, drain, and set aside to cool completely.
• 2. Sprinkle ground beef, pork or sausage with 1 tablespoon creole seasoning and brown in heavy skillet. Drain and set aside.
• 3. When the mirlitons are cool, cut them in half lengthwise, remove the seeds, peel, and coarsely chop. Set aside.
• 4. Heat the olive oil in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the onions, bell peppers, carrots, celery, green onions and jalapeno. Add remaining creole seasoning and the thyme. Cook slowly, stirring, until the vegetables are soft and lightly golden, about 30 minutes.
• 5. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes. Add the mirlitons and cook, mashing them with a potato masher, until very tender and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 30 minutes.
• 6. At this point, if you want a smoother textured casserole use an immersion blender or put mixture into a food processor or blender in small batches until everything is pureed. If you like a chunkier casserole then skip this step.
• 7. Add the meats or seafood, salt, black pepper, and parsley. Cook about 3 to 4 minutes stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Remove from the heat.
• 8. Add the eggs and toasted bread crumbs and mix well. You want the mixture to be tight, not too wet. Spoon the mixture into a 9 by 13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle with mozzarella or parmesan cheese (optional), or with about 1-2 tablespoons of bread crumbs.
• 9. Bake at 350 until the topping is lightly browned and bubbly, about 40 minutes. Serve warm.
• 10. *NOTES: In a skillet, toast the breadcrumbs in a little olive oil over medium heat until it turns 2 shades darker. This will keep the casserole from being gummy.
• 11. If you make extra toasted breadcrumbs you can freeze them in a ziplock bag until you're ready to use them again.

CHAYOTE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Place chayotes and epazote in saucepan. Add enough water to cover. Bring to boil on high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer 10 min. Drain; discard epazote. Set aside. Heat oil in small heavy-bottomed skillet on medium heat. Add poblano chiles and onions; cook 5 min. or until tender, stirring occasionally. Stir in jalapeño peppers.
• Layer half each of the tomatoes, poblano mixture and chayotes in 2-qt. baking dish; sprinkle with half of the cheese. Repeat all layers.
• Bake 20 to 25 min. or until mixture is heated through and cheese is melted.

CHAYOTE & POTATO CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Boil the potatoes & chayotes until just tender about 3-4 minutes, drain.
• Melt 2 tbsp butter in a skillet and stir fry the shallots& peppers until just tender apprx 6 minutes, remove from heat and pour into a dish Melt remaining butter in the same skillet, stir in the flour and when well browned slowly add the milk and cream, whisk over medium heat until the sauce boils and thickens, stir and cook 2 minutes longer Add the shallots& peppers to the sauce, add salt, pepper& nutmeg, stir in 1/4 cup of cheese Spread the potato& chayotes in a shallow baking dish, add sauce& mix gently Smoothe the top and sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheese.
• Cover with foil& bake in 350F until bubbling (apprx 20 minutes), remove foil and allow the cheese to brown- 10 more minutes Serve hot.

MIRLITON CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Take the mirlitons and boil until tender by sticking a sharp knife into it. If it goes in easily just as when testing a potato they are ready. Do not overcook.
• Drain and cool.
• Meanwhile, take your seasonings except for the garlic and parsley and saute until soft.
• Add shrimp and saute until pink.
• add garlic and parsley, bread crumbs, salt & pepper.
• Turn off heat.
• Take the mirlitons and cut in half lengthwise.
• Take a teaspoon and scoop out the seed and sac that surrounds it.
• Then scoop out the meat of the merliton and save it in the pan along with the dressing.
• You can use the shells to refill with the dressing if you care to. Since I usually end up tearing my shells, I usually end up using a casserole dish and adding everything into it after mixing well.
• If the mixture is dry once it is all mixed, you can add a little water or chicken broth a little at a time until it is just a tad pasty.
• Place a pat of butter on each half and bake in medium oven until browned and bubbly.
• You can make these ahead of time and freeze them.
• Take them out a day before you need them and let them thaw in the refrigerator and bake right before serving.
• For variety, you can use hot sausage out of the casing or ground meat.