Chayotes Maria Recipes

CHAYOTES MARIA

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring 4 quarts of salted water to a boil. Add the chayotes, cover, and cook until they are tender when pierced with a fork, about 30 minutes.
• While the chayotes are cooking, prepare the sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and 1/2-cup of skim milk until smooth. In a large non-aluminum saucepan, stir together the remaining skim milk and the evaporated skim milk. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Very gradually whisk in the flour mixture. Stir until the sauce boils and thickens. Reduce the heat to very low and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the sour cream, parsley, and scallions and season to taste with salt (optional) and plenty of pepper.
• Drain the cayotes and cut into 1/4-inch thick slices. Put the sliced chayotes in a serving bowl, pour the sauce over, and serve immediately.

SOPA FRIA DE CHAYOTE

Steps:

• Melt butter in a stockpot over medium heat. Add leeks and onion; cook until translucent, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and jalapeno; cook 2 minutes. Add chayote, cilantro, and enough water to cover (about 8 cups); bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat; simmer until squash is soft, about 25 minutes.
• Prepare an ice bath. Puree mixture in a blender, working in batches so as not to fill more than halfway. Pass through a fine sieve into a large bowl set in ice bath. Season with salt; let cool completely, stirring frequently. Stir in cream.
• Just before serving, core apples and cut into 1/4-inch dice; stir half into soup. Garnish servings with remaining apple.

ROASTED CHAYOTES WITH GARLIC

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F with racks in upper and lower thirds.
• Wearing protective gloves, halve chayotes lengthwise and discard seeds. Peel, then cut lengthwise into 1-inch wedges. Toss with oil and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Divide between 2 large 4-sided sheet pans.
• Roast 30 minutes. Divide garlic between pans, then continue to roast, turning occasionally, until chayotes are golden brown on edges, about 30 minutes more. Season with salt.