Friday, November 20, 2009

Stuffed Chayote



If you hadn't notice by now, for you loyal readers, one of my favorite vegetables is the chayote squash. They're just so good. This time around I decided to stuff them. Stuff them I did. There's really no good story about this one really. I was just hungry.

The stuffing included sardines, onion and tomato. Oh and I must not forget the panko crumbs as well. I poached the chayote halves in water first to get them nice and tender, then scooped out the delicious flesh and mixed the filling together. Once they were ready I baked them in the oven just to get the chayote bowls a good roast as well as bake the filling.

Not too filling and just right. At least, for me it was.

Makes 4 chayote bowls




Stuffed Chayote

2 Chayote
1 ripe tomato - deseeded and chopped
1/2 small sweet onion - chopped
1 5oz can sardine in oil or tuna in oil
1 tsp dry basil
1 tsp dry thyme
1/4 c panko breadcrumbs - plus extra
1/4 c shredded cheese - your choice
extra virgin olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
 
Half each chayote and remove the pit/seed.

Bring a small pot of water to a boil and season it with some salt. When the water is boiling carefully add the chayote. Cook until tender.

Drain most, but not all the oil from the sardines/tuna.

Chop the tomatoes and place them into a bowl with the sardines/tuna, dry basil, dry thyme, and sweet onion. Set aside.

Preheat your oven to 375˚F

With a slotted spoon, remove the chayote and let it cool for a few minutes before scooping out the flesh.

Coat the chayote bowls and lightly coat the skins with some olive oil. Place on a foil lines baking sheet.

Once the flesh has been scooped out, chop them into pieces and place into a bowl with the sardine/tuna mixture. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Mix in the panko crumbs.

Divide the filling among the 4 bowls. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the panko crumbs are lightly browned.

Top the chayote with the shredded cheese and bake for another 3-4 minutes until cheese is melted.


14 comments:

  1. I love stuffed squash. And I love the sardines in the stuffing; I have to try this!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds tasty...I have to get back to the farmers market to get some more chayote. Haven't been there in a while due to our CSA.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I always wondered about chayote! I'll have to try this. I like the use of tuna in oil as well.

    ReplyDelete
  4. these are so cute and pretty. i havne't had sardines in SOO long, my dad used to eat them, and i remember liking them. i'll have to try this!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Looks delicious! I have never had chayote but I guess I need to give it a try!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Andrea, Anna, nutmeg: Thanks.

    Jen: Hopefully they'll have some.

    Teresa: I think time for a sardine fix. ;-D

    ReplyDelete
  7. I will have to try this. I love squash, but have never tries to stuff chayote.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I've never experienced Chayote! I didn't even know it was a squash - thought it was a fruit! Some squash lover I am. I will be looking for this on my next shopping trip. Looks delicious - love the filling!

    ReplyDelete
  9. great recipe my mum in law loves these

    ReplyDelete
  10. Mary: definitely.

    Reeni: now you know. Hehe...

    CC: I think she'll like these, too.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Yummy! I like the Italian flavors of the stuffing. Looks great!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Neat-o! I haven't had chayote, but that looks right up my alley.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love chayote, but had not thought to stuff them, what a great idea!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I fully agree with whatever thing you have presented.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by! Feel free to leave a message. I'd love to hear from you. I do read them all. ;-D

--J