In the realm of Southern cuisine, there exists a hidden gem, a dish that effortlessly blends flavors and textures, captivating the senses with its unique charm: the Mirliton Casserole. This culinary masterpiece, hailing from the gardens of Louisiana, showcases the humble mirliton, a pear-shaped vegetable with a delicate and mild flavor, elevated by a harmonious blend of spices, vegetables, and succulent meats. Embark on a culinary journey as we present a collection of Mirliton Casserole recipes, each offering its own distinctive twist on this beloved classic. Discover the secrets behind this delightful casserole, unraveling the perfect balance of flavors and textures that make it a staple in Southern kitchens and a cherished dish among food enthusiasts. From traditional family recipes passed down through generations to innovative interpretations that push culinary boundaries, these recipes offer a tantalizing array of options to suit every palate. Prepare to indulge in the comforting goodness of Mirliton Casserole, a dish that embodies the essence of Southern hospitality and culinary artistry.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
SHRIMP AND MIRLITON CASSEROLE
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the mirlitons and cook until tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from the heat, drain, and set aside to cool completely.
- Meanwhile, combine the shrimp with 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1 tablespoon Bayou Blast in a mixing bowl and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
- When the mirlitons are cool, cut them in half lengthwise, remove the seeds, peel, and coarsely chop. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onions, bell peppers, and jalapeno. Add the remaining 1/2 tablespoon Bayou Blast and the thyme. Cook, stirring, until the vegetables are soft and lightly golden, 4 to 6 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes. Add the mirlitons and cook, mashing them with a potato masher, until very tender and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 30 minutes. Add the shrimp, salt, black pepper, green onions, and parsley. Cook, stirring, until the shrimp turn pink, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat.
- Add the eggs, 1 cup of the bread crumbs, and the pepper sauce. Mix well. Spoon the mixture into a 9 by 13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the top, then sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of bread crumbs. Bake until the topping is lightly browned and bubbly, about 30 minutes. Serve warm.
- Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, published by William Morrow, 1993.
MIRLITON (CHAYOTE) CASSEROLE
In the south, or at least in Louisiana, we call Chayotes or Vegetable Pears, Mirlitons (MEL-a-tawn or MERL-a-tawn), depending on what New Orleans neighborhood you're from. It's a part of the squash family but it has a mild sweet flavor and can be used so many different ways. Here's my version of Traditional Mirliton Casserole.
Provided by Donna Graffagnino
Categories Seafood
Time 4h
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- 1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the mirlitons and cook until tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from the heat, drain, and set aside to cool completely.
- 2. Sprinkle ground beef, pork or sausage with 1 tablespoon creole seasoning and brown in heavy skillet. Drain and set aside.
- 3. When the mirlitons are cool, cut them in half lengthwise, remove the seeds, peel, and coarsely chop. Set aside.
- 4. Heat the olive oil in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the onions, bell peppers, carrots, celery, green onions and jalapeno. Add remaining creole seasoning and the thyme. Cook slowly, stirring, until the vegetables are soft and lightly golden, about 30 minutes.
- 5. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes. Add the mirlitons and cook, mashing them with a potato masher, until very tender and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 30 minutes.
- 6. At this point, if you want a smoother textured casserole use an immersion blender or put mixture into a food processor or blender in small batches until everything is pureed. If you like a chunkier casserole then skip this step.
- 7. Add the meats or seafood, salt, black pepper, and parsley. Cook about 3 to 4 minutes stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Remove from the heat.
- 8. Add the eggs and toasted bread crumbs and mix well. You want the mixture to be tight, not too wet. Spoon the mixture into a 9 by 13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle with mozzarella or parmesan cheese (optional), or with about 1-2 tablespoons of bread crumbs.
- 9. Bake at 350 until the topping is lightly browned and bubbly, about 40 minutes. Serve warm.
- 10. *NOTES: In a skillet, toast the breadcrumbs in a little olive oil over medium heat until it turns 2 shades darker. This will keep the casserole from being gummy.
- 11. If you make extra toasted breadcrumbs you can freeze them in a ziplock bag until you're ready to use them again.
MIRLITON AND SHRIMP DRESSING
Mirlitons, our local squash, are also know as chayote. Any variety of fall squash may be substituted. Diced day-old bread is the best to use for these kinds of dressings; bread crumbs will make the dressing too dry. Mirliton dressing is too loose for a stuffing, so it's always served as a side dish.
Provided by Food Network
Categories side-dish
Yield Serves 10
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Rub the mirlitons with oil. Place them on a baking sheet cut side down and bake until they are fork tender and easily peeled, about 45 minutes. Set the mirlitons aside to let rest until they are cool enough to handle, then peel and cut them into 1-inch pieces.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over moderate heat. Add the onions, celery, and bell peppers and cook until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Increase heat to medium-high, add the fresh herbs and shrimp, and stir frequently, until shrimp are just cooked , 3-5 minutes. Stir in the crabmeat. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. Add the diced mirlitons and the remaining ingredients and stir until well combined.
- Spoon the dressing into a large buttered baking dish and bake until golden brown, 20-30 minutes.
MIRLITON CASSEROLE
This is a dish that our family always makes at Thanksgiving and Christmastime. At one time that was the only time we could eat the dish because the bush would die after the first freeze of the winter. Nowadays they have a way of producing these wonderful vegetables almost year round.
Provided by al_salihi
Categories Winter
Time 1h30m
Yield 16 1/2 pieces, 10-12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Take the mirlitons and boil until tender by sticking a sharp knife into it. If it goes in easily just as when testing a potato they are ready. Do not overcook.
- Drain and cool.
- Meanwhile, take your seasonings except for the garlic and parsley and saute until soft.
- Add shrimp and saute until pink.
- add garlic and parsley, bread crumbs, salt & pepper.
- Turn off heat.
- Take the mirlitons and cut in half lengthwise.
- Take a teaspoon and scoop out the seed and sac that surrounds it.
- Then scoop out the meat of the merliton and save it in the pan along with the dressing.
- You can use the shells to refill with the dressing if you care to. Since I usually end up tearing my shells, I usually end up using a casserole dish and adding everything into it after mixing well.
- If the mixture is dry once it is all mixed, you can add a little water or chicken broth a little at a time until it is just a tad pasty.
- Place a pat of butter on each half and bake in medium oven until browned and bubbly.
- You can make these ahead of time and freeze them.
- Take them out a day before you need them and let them thaw in the refrigerator and bake right before serving.
- For variety, you can use hot sausage out of the casing or ground meat.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 258.6, Fat 11.6, SaturatedFat 6.3, Cholesterol 162.7, Sodium 291.2, Carbohydrate 17.3, Fiber 3.9, Sugar 4.6, Protein 21.8
Tips:
- Choose small mirlitons for a milder flavor and tender texture.
- Prick the mirlitons with a fork before baking to allow steam to escape.
- Cook the mirlitons until they are tender but still hold their shape.
- Use a variety of cheeses to create a more complex flavor profile.
- Serve the casserole hot and bubbly, topped with additional cheese if desired.
Conclusion:
Frank Davis' Mirliton Casserole is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The combination of mirlitons, cheese, and eggs creates a creamy, satisfying casserole that is sure to please everyone. Experiment with different cheeses and toppings to create your own unique version of this classic recipe.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love