**New Orleans Stuffed Mirlitons: A Taste of Louisiana's Culinary Heritage**
In the heart of Louisiana's vibrant culinary scene, there lies a hidden gem that embodies the region's rich history and diverse flavors: New Orleans Stuffed Mirlitons. These tender and delectable chayote squash, also known as mirlitons, are carefully hollowed out and filled with a tantalizing mixture of aromatic ingredients that create a symphony of flavors. This classic dish is a testament to the creativity and passion of Louisiana's culinary traditions.
Our collection of New Orleans Stuffed Mirliton recipes offers a delightful journey through the culinary landscape of this iconic dish. From the traditional Creole Mirliton Stuffed with Shrimp and Crab, bursting with the flavors of the sea, to the vegetarian-friendly Mirlitons Stuffed with Mushrooms and Herbs, each recipe showcases the versatility and adaptability of this unique ingredient.
For those seeking a hearty and comforting meal, the Mirliton and Sausage Stuffed Mirlitons are a must-try. The savory combination of seasoned sausage, succulent mirlitons, and aromatic herbs creates a dish that warms the soul and satisfies the appetite. And for a taste of New Orleans' vibrant street food culture, the Mirliton Hushpuppies, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, are a delightful treat that captures the essence of this culinary melting pot.
Whether you're a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, our collection of New Orleans Stuffed Mirliton recipes provides a culinary adventure that celebrates the rich heritage and diverse flavors of Louisiana. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your taste buds, and embark on a journey of culinary exploration with these delectable stuffed mirlitons.
SHRIMP-STUFFED MIRLITON
Mirliton -- also known as chayote -- is a light green, slightly pear-shaped squash that's a staple in Louisiana. This crab and shrimp-stuffed version is a dish often found in restaurants. Go to a specialty supermarket to hunt down the squash and celebrate your next holiday New Orleans style.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 2h15m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Put the mirliton halves cut-side down in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Add 1 cup of water, cover tightly with foil and bake until soft, cooked through and easily poked with a fork, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Set aside until cool enough to handle, about 20 minutes. (Leave the oven on.) Scoop out the pulp--making sure to leave a 1/4-inch border all around--then chop the pulp and reserve. Discard the water from the baking dish and return the scooped-out mirliton halves cut-side down.
- Meanwhile, melt 6 tablespoons of the butter with the Cajun seasoning in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the celery, garlic, bell pepper, onion and 1 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and just begin to brown, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the sausage, hot sauce and tomatoes and cook, stirring, until the sausage is warmed through and the tomatoes start to release their juices, about 3 minutes. Add the crab, shrimp and reserved mirliton pulp and continue cooking until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Microwave the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a small microwave-safe dish until melted, about 30 seconds. Add the breadcrumbs and parsley and stir until well combined.
- Turn each mirliton half over so the cut side is facing up. Stuff each with about 1/2 cup of the crab and shrimp mixture--it will seem like a lot, but that's OK. Sprinkle with the breadcrumb mixture and bake until the shrimp are cooked through and the breadcrumbs turn a deep golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Serve with additional hot sauce if desired.
NEW ORLEANS STUFFED MIRLITONS RECIPE - (3.9/5)
Provided by JimMac
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Boil mirlitons until tender, cut in half and remove seeds. Scoop out inside of mirlitons leaving enough flesh to keep shell intact. In a large heavy skillet, heat oil or bacon grease. Sauté onions, garlic and celery until soft. Add shrimp and ham. Cook 10 minutes. Remove excess water from mirliton and mash. Add all remaining ingredients except 1/4 cup seasoned bread crumbs. Fill the reserved shells. Melt 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in reserved crumbs. Sprinkle evenly over mirlitons. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
NEW ORLEANS STUFFED MIRLITON RECIPE - (4/5)
Provided by JimMac
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Pierce mirlitons with a fork. Place in a Dutch oven; cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat, and simmer 30 minutes or until tender. Drain and cool. Cut mirlitons in half lengthwise; discard seeds. Scoop out pulp, leaving a 1/4-inch-thick shell. Chop pulp; place in a large bowl. Preheat oven to 375°. Melt butter in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook 6 minutes or until onion is tender. Add onion mixture, crawfish, and remaining ingredients (I added 1/4 cup of Parmesan Cheese to the mixture for extra flavor; stir to combine. Spoon about 1/2 cup crawfish mixture into each shell; place stuffed mirlitons on a baking sheet. Bake at 375° for 30 minutes or until crawfish mixture is thoroughly heated and golden. Yield 8 servings (serving size: 1 mirliton half)
SEAFOOD-STUFFED MIRLITON/CHAYOTE
A fairly simple and very authentic Creole recipe from New Orleans that I ate at the late, great Ugelsich's restaurant. (They prepared it with eggplant rather than chayote -- they're equally delicious.) Use crab meat or shrimp or a mixture of both. Two chayote halves are a good light entree, or one half is right for a side dish.
Provided by fluffernutter
Categories Crab
Time 1h5m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Steam or boil the mirlitons until the flesh is just tender -- try not to overcook or the shell will fall apart. (Seven minutes in the microwave, 10 minutes in salted boiling water on the stovetop.) Cool slightly and scoop out the flesh, leaving a 1/4-inch shell. Set the flesh aside.
- Saute the onion, garlic, celery and parsley in the butter and olive oil over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes until very tender, adding chicken broth if the vegetables become dry and begin to stick. Add the squash and mash with a potato masher. Cook until squash liquid evaporates.
- Stir in the shrimp and crabmeat and cook until most shrimp are pink, about 2 minutes. Add enough bread crumbs to absorb any liquid in the mixture. Fill the mirliton shells with the mixture. Sprinkle with additional crumbs and dot generously with butter.
- Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes until topping is crisp and golden.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 254.2, Fat 13.5, SaturatedFat 6.2, Cholesterol 160.3, Sodium 983.6, Carbohydrate 11.3, Fiber 3.4, Sugar 4, Protein 22.6
GRANDPA'S MIRLITON DRESSING (NEW ORLEANS STYLE)
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Boil mirlitons, until soft. Cool, peel and cube. Fry ground meat, season to your taste. When ground meat is done, strain grease.
- Mix all ingredients, (except for the butter, bread crumbs and cheese), in a large pot. Pour into a 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan. Sprinkle bread crumbs and a little parmesan cheese on top. Top with a little butter
- Bake for approximately 30 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 0 g, Fat 0 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 0 g, Sodium 0 g, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 0 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 0 g
Tips:
- Choose small mirlitons. Smaller mirlitons are more tender and have a milder flavor.
- Use a sharp knife to cut the mirlitons. This will help to prevent the mirlitons from splitting.
- Scoop out the mirliton flesh carefully. Be careful not to cut through the skin of the mirliton.
- Season the mirliton flesh liberally. This will help to enhance the flavor of the dish.
- Use a variety of fillings. There are many different types of fillings that can be used for stuffed mirlitons. Some popular options include shrimp, crab, sausage, and vegetables.
- Bake the stuffed mirlitons until they are tender. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the mirlitons and the type of filling.
- Serve the stuffed mirlitons hot or cold. Stuffed mirlitons can be served as an appetizer, main course, or side dish.
Conclusion:
Stuffed mirlitons are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are a great way to use up leftover mirlitons, and they can also be made ahead of time and reheated when you are ready to serve them. With so many different variations to choose from, there is sure to be a stuffed mirliton recipe that everyone will love. So next time you are looking for a new and exciting dish to try, give stuffed mirlitons a try. You won't be disappointed!
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