How to Grow and Enjoy a Raw Chayote
I grew up enjoying the Chayote (Sechium edule) cooked in traditional soups. It was a staple, in addition to potatoes, carrots and yams. Cooked chayote is a must in Caribbean cooking, as well as in Mexican cooking, where it originated. Did you know chayote can be enjoyed raw? If not, it’s time to give raw chayote a try.
Table of Contents
Origin
The Chayote is Mesoamerican in origin and the scientific evidence indicates that it has been domesticated since pre-Columbian times.
The many names for this member of the squash family, indicates its journey across the Americas and down through the Caribbean. In Jamaica it it known as Chocho, in France, and its former colonies, it is called Christophene, other names include, Mirilton and Vegetable pear.
Description
Chayote is a pear shape fruit which is used as vegetable. It is light green in color with large furrows like a butternut squash. The large flat seed is edible so you can use the whole fruit with no waste. It is not sweet.
Benefits
Research has found many nutritional, and pharmacological benefits to this interesting fruit which include:
- helps to dissolve Kidney stones
- positive nutrition for diabetes patients
- High folate content
- Boosts immunity, high in vitamin C
- Helps to prevent muscle cramps
- Good for the heart
- High in fiber
- Good for brain function
- Helps to control acne
There are new benefits added to the list as the research continues, as a result we can enjoy the chayote knowing there are so many positive advantages.
Taste
Every part of the plant chayote plant can be cooked and eaten. The chayote has a bland flavour its own, and is used in food with rich flavours. It is like a cross between a jicama and a non sweet asian pear. When you prepare the raw chayote, it is best to treat it like the jicama. It has a crunchy texture and the whole fruit is edible, including the skin. Chop it thinly and add it to salads.
Chayote Coleslaw
2 cups of thinly sliced or julienne cabbage
1/2 cup carrot
1/2 cup chopped Chayote
1/2 Avocado (sliced)
2 tblsp. Mayonnaise
1 tblsp. Baba Ganoush
A dash of Everything Bagel mix
And Voila! Enjoy.
Grow Your Own
It is possible to grow your own in Ontario, Canada, zone 5b, as my aunt proved last summer. She grew her plant from seeds and was blessed with a bountiful crop, as you can see from the photos.
A chayote grows from the flat seed inside the fruit. It is viviparous, which means it sprouts while in the fruit, if you can find one that is already sprouting it is even better.
Propagation
Take a large chayote and soak it in water for a couple of hours, then place it in a freezer bag and keep it moist until it sprouts.
Soil
In a four season climate start to prepare the soil after the last frost. Soil should be well drained composted soil. Plant the chayote in a sunny location with the sprout upright.
Place near a wall with enough space for a wire, wood or metal trellis as it is a very robust and fast producer of fruit, for this reason the trellis should be able to support the weight of the heavy bearing vine, which can grow up to 20-30ft. (6-9 metres).
It can also be grown in a container, but needs enough space to spread
Every part of the plant is edible and it can be harvested throughout the season. when the season ends in a cold climate, cut the chayote low to the ground and cover with heavy mulch to protect from snow and frost.
Final Thoughts…
Now you know how amazing chayote is for nutrition, as well as its health benefits, make it a regular dish at your table. Find a spot in the garden to grow your own and enjoy the fresh crisp chayote in a lovely salad, or any other way you choose to enjoy this fruit.
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