Chayote

Sicyos edulis

vegetable

A pale, ridged, pear-shaped squash with crisp, mild flesh, from a Mexican climbing plant; christophine in the Caribbean, chouchou on Réunion and Mauritius. Root, stems, seed and leaves are edible too.

Origin

Mexico

Season (United States)

all year round · grows in your region

Preparation

Young, the skin is eaten, and so is the seed in the center; older, it is peeled — with gloves: its sap sticks and tightens the skin of your hands.

Did you know?

In the Caribbean, Britain and Ireland, its name christophine recalls Christopher Columbus.