Indulge in a culinary journey with our seafood-stuffed mirliton and chayote recipes. These delightful dishes showcase the unique flavors and textures of these versatile vegetables, stuffed with a variety of seafood fillings. Discover the classic flavors of shrimp and crab in our seafood-stuffed mirliton, a traditional Cajun dish that bursts with savory goodness. For a refreshing twist, try our chayote stuffed with shrimp and avocado, a vibrant combination that offers a light and healthy alternative. And for those who love their seafood with a kick, our spicy crab-stuffed chayote is sure to tantalize your taste buds with its bold and fiery flavors. Each recipe provides step-by-step instructions, ensuring that you can easily recreate these seafood-stuffed delicacies in your own kitchen.
Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!
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.
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
STUFFED MIRLITON
Mirlitons are plentiful in Louisiana around November, so this is a great side dish for Thanksgiving. This is a family recipe from a friend of mine from New Orleans. Shrimp can be substituted for the ham in this recipe.
Provided by Melissa Spangler
Categories Pork
Time 50m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Simmer mirlitons until tender.
- Cut each in half, remove seeds and carefully spoon out pulp.
- Set aside.
- Saute onion, garlic& margarine until tender.
- Add french bread that has been soaked in water and squeezed until almost dry, then chopped.
- Cook a few minutes, then add thyme& parsley, continue to cook another 5 minutes.
- Add mirliton that has been chopped& mashed.
- Add salt& pepper.
- Cook 12-15 minutes, then add ham.
- Cook 8-10 minutes.
- Put in greased casserole dish& top with bread crumbs.
- Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes.
- 1/4 lb.
- shrimp or 3-4 slices of bacon can be substituted for the ham.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 234.2, Fat 10, SaturatedFat 2, Cholesterol 9.8, Sodium 803.1, Carbohydrate 27.9, Fiber 3.8, Sugar 3.7, Protein 9.1
Tips:
- Choose the right mirliton: Look for chayotes that are firm and heavy for their size, with a bright green color and no blemishes.
- Prepare the mirliton properly: Cut the mirliton in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and pulp. Be careful not to cut too deeply, as you want to leave a shell that is at least 1/2-inch thick.
- Use a variety of seafood: Shrimp, crab, and fish are all excellent choices for stuffing mirliton. You can also use a combination of seafood, such as shrimp and scallops or crab and lobster.
- Season the seafood well: Be sure to season the seafood with salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices. This will help to enhance the flavor of the stuffing.
- Don't overcook the seafood: Seafood cooks quickly, so be careful not to overcook it. Otherwise, it will become tough and rubbery.
- Serve the mirliton immediately: Stuffed mirliton is best served immediately after it is cooked. This will ensure that the seafood is still tender and juicy.
Conclusion:
Mirliton, also known as chayote squash, is a versatile vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes. Stuffed mirliton is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a special occasion or a weeknight meal. With its combination of tender seafood, flavorful stuffing, and crispy shell, stuffed mirliton is sure to please everyone at the table.
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