Chayote squash is a summer squash that is a member of the gourd family, along with melons and cucumbers. This means you’ll often find it in the spring and summer months. It’s a tropical fruit that grows in places like Mexico, Veracruz, and Costa Rica, so if you find yourself in that part of the world and you haven’t tried chayote squash yet, you should definitely give it a chance.
How To Eat It
Chayote squash has a pretty firm flesh. It can be eaten raw, but some people find it too tough to eat raw. If you’re wondering how to cook chayote squash, there’s no limit to your options: bake, boil, sautée, mash, stuff, fry or pickle. Even Mark Sisson has some great suggestions for eating your summer squash.
No matter how to choose to eat it, chayote squash is an excellent source of vitamin C, zinc, and various B vitamins (especially folate).
Eat The Whole Plant
Just like we encourage eating the whole animal, you should also be sure to eat the whole plant, whenever possible. Chayote squash is a fruit, but the leaves, stems, and tubers of the plant can all be eaten. Each part provides a different flavor profile and nutrients, so if you have access to other parts of the plant, feel free to switch it up!
