How to Cook Chayote Squash

How to Cook Chayote Squash

Side Dish
20 min
4 servings
99 kcal / serving

Try two different ways of cooking chayote squash - sautéing or roasting and serving with Chimichurri sauce.

Ingredients

  • Chimichurri sauce:
  • ½ cupolive oil
  • 2 tablespoonsred wine vinegar
  • 2 clovesgarlic (, chopped)
  • ½ cuppacked fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves (, chopped)
  • ½ cuppacked fresh cilantro leaves (, chopped)
  • ¼ teaspoonred pepper flakes
  • ½ teaspoonsea salt
  • ½ teaspoonsmoked paprika
  • For the roasted chayotes:
  • 3 lb.chayote squash (, peeled, pitted, and cut into chunks)
  • 2 tablespoonsolive oil
  • ½ teaspoonsea salt (, or to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoonground black pepper (, or to taste)
  • 2chayotes
  • 2 tablespoonsolive oil or butter (or 1 tablespoon of each)
  • 1 mediumred onion (, thinly sliced)
  • 3 clovesgarlic (, minced)
  • ½ teaspoonred pepper flakes (optional)
  • salt and ground black pepper (, to taste)
  • freshly squeezed lemon juice (optional)
  • chopped parsley leaves (, for garnish)

Directions

Roasted chayote squash with chimichurri sauce

  1. 1

    Chimichurri sauce. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. Let sit for 30 minutes before using.

  2. 2

    Roasted chayotes. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  3. 3

    In a large bowl, toss the chayote chunks with olive oil,salt, and pepper. Transfer to a baking sheet and roast for about 25 minutes (turn over halfway through), until tender and browned.

  4. 4

    Remove from the oven and top with Chimichurri sauce.

Sauteed chayote squash

  1. 1

    Peel the chayotes, cut in half lengthwise, and remove the pit. Place cut-side down onto a cutting board and slice thinly.

  2. 2

    Heat the olive oil or butter in a skillet. Add the onion and cook for 3-5 minutes, until translucent. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds more, until fragrant.

  3. 3

    Add the sliced chayote squash, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper, and cook for 4-5 minutes more, until the chayote is fork tender. Drizzle with the lemon juice, garnish with parsley, and serve.