Mirlitons, also known as chayotes, are a versatile and delicious vegetable that can be used in a variety of dishes. They are mild in flavor and have a slightly sweet taste, making them a great addition to both sweet and savory recipes. This article features three unique recipes that showcase the versatility of mirlitons: Stuffed Mirlitons, Mirliton Gratin, and Mirliton and Shrimp Soup.
In the Stuffed Mirlitons recipe, the chayotes are hollowed out and filled with a flavorful mixture of ground beef, rice, vegetables, and spices. This hearty and satisfying dish is perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. The Mirliton Gratin recipe is a delightful combination of chayotes, cheese, and cream. This creamy and cheesy casserole is sure to be a hit with the whole family. Finally, the Mirliton and Shrimp Soup recipe is a light and refreshing soup that is perfect for a summer meal. The chayotes add a subtle sweetness to the soup, while the shrimp provide a succulent and flavorful protein. With three delicious recipes to choose from, this article has something for everyone who loves mirlitons.
SHRIMP-STUFFED MIRLITONS
The mirliton is a pale green squash with an end puckered up like a toothless granny. They are native to Louisiana, but if you grew up eating from certain Latin American culinary canons, you might know them as chayote. In New Orleans, mirliton stuffed with shrimp is a dish both common and fancy. The chef David Guas, who grew up in Louisiana and now runs the Bayou Bakery in Washington, D.C., ate this version at his Granny Lilly's holiday table in Amite, La. His recipe is a version of her original, but with a touch of heat from cayenne pepper as influenced by Justin Wilson, a relative who had a long-running cooking show on New Orleans public television that he punctuated with the tagline "I guaranteeeeee!" Use the freshest shrimp you can find. Something from the Gulf of Mexico would lend authenticity. And be careful scooping the flesh from the mirlitons. The skin is thin and can break easily.
Provided by Kim Severson
Categories dinner, lunch, main course
Time 1h30m
Yield 6 entree or 12 side dish servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Cut mirlitons in half and scoop out the large seed in the middle. Boil in salted water to cover for 25 minutes, or until tender when punctured with the tines of a fork. Be careful not to overcook.
- Drain and cool for 15 minutes, then scrape out insides into a colander to drain. Leave 1/4 inch of flesh inside shell, being careful not to puncture skin.
- Chop drained mirliton flesh and add to a medium bowl. Mix in butter, lemon juice, parsley, salt, pepper, cayenne, Worcestershire sauce and 1/2 cup bread crumbs; set aside.
- Heat oven to 375 degrees. Heat oil in a medium saucepan or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper and celery and sauté until almost translucent. Add garlic, green onion and tomatoes for just about 2 minutes. Add shrimp for 30 seconds to give them a touch of color. Quickly remove pan from heat and let it sit for 3 to 5 minutes to cool slightly. Fold sautéed ingredients into mirliton mixture.
- Scoop stuffing mixture into each mirliton half. Place mirliton in an oven-safe 1 1/2-inch deep pan. You may need two pans. Dust top of each mirliton evenly with remaining bread crumbs. Pour stock into pans to a half-inch depth, before covering and baking. Cover pans tightly with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until tops are lightly browned.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 309, UnsaturatedFat 3 grams, Carbohydrate 59 grams, Fat 5 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 14 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 1346 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams
STUFFED MIRLITONS
Steps:
- Cut mirlitons in half lengthwise. Remove seeds in center. Boil until tender. Scoop out flesh, reserving shell for stuffing. Mash the flesh.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Heat oil in a 9 to 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add onion and celery and saute until tender. Add mashed mirliton flesh, shrimp (or sausage), 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs, seasoned salt, and cayenne pepper and stir to combine. Fill mirliton shells with this mixture. Cover with remaining bread crumbs. Bake for 30 minutes or until browned. This can be served as a main dish and it also freezes well.
SHRIMP STUFFED MIRLITONS (CHAYOTE OR VEGETABLE PEARS)
Make and share this Shrimp Stuffed Mirlitons (Chayote or Vegetable Pears) recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Molly53
Categories Cheese
Time 1h
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Parboil mirlitons/chayote/vegetable pears until almost tender.
- Cut in half and scoop out the meat; mash and set aside, reserving shells.
- Saute onion and garlic in shortening until translucent; add celery and cook until tender.
- Add mashed mirlitons, shrimp, 1/2 of the cheese, and salt and pepper to the sauteed vegetables.
- Fill the reserved shells, cover with remaining cheese and bread crumbs.
- Bake until crumbs have browned, approximately 30 minutes.
MIRLITONS FARCIS AUX CREVETTES (CHAYOTES STUFFED WITH SHRIMP)
Provided by Craig Claiborne
Categories appetizer
Time 1h20m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Split chayotes lengthwise in half. Put in kettle of cold water and add salt to taste. Bring to boil and simmer about 10 minutes. Do not overcook or vegetables will become mushy. Drain and run briefly under cold water. Drain again.
- Using spoon or melon-ball cutter, scoop out flesh and seeds of each half, leaving shell of about eighth of an inch thick or slightly thicker. Set the shells aside. Chop flesh and seeds fine. There should be about one cup. Set aside.
- Peel and devein shrimp and chop coarsely. There should be about one and a quarter cups. Set aside.
- When ready to cook, preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Heat half the butter in saucepan and add onion and garlic. Cook, stirring, until wilted. Sprinkle with flour and stir to distribute evenly. Add milk, stirring rapidly with wire whisk.
- When sauce is thickened and smooth, add chopped pulp. Bring to boil, stirring, and add ginger and scallions.
- Remove from heat and stir in egg yolk. Let stand to room temperature. Stir in shrimp, salt pepper, quarter cup of bread crumbs and parsley.
- Use mixture to stuff chayote halves. Pile up and smooth over.
- Blend remaining quarter cup of bread crumbs and cheese. Sprinkle tops with mixture, patting to help it adhere. Dot with remaining two tablespoons of butter.
- Arrange stuffed halves in a lightly buttered baking dish and place in oven. Bake 20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 285, UnsaturatedFat 5 grams, Carbohydrate 23 grams, Fat 14 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 19 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Sodium 845 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams, TransFat 0 grams
NEW ORLEANS STUFFED MIRLITONS RECIPE - (4/5)
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.
Tips:
- Choose small mirlitons that are about the size of a fist. They should be firm and have a deep green color. - When removing the seeds from the mirlitons, be careful not to cut through the flesh. - To make the stuffing, you can use any type of ground meat, such as beef, pork, or turkey. You can also add vegetables, such as onions, celery, and carrots. - If you are using a meatloaf mix, be sure to add some bread crumbs or crackers to help bind the ingredients together. - Bake the stuffed mirlitons in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for about 45 minutes, or until they are cooked through. - Serve the stuffed mirlitons with a side of rice, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables.Conclusion:
Stuffed mirlitons are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are a great way to use up leftover meat and vegetables, and they can be served as a main course or a side dish. With their mild flavor and tender texture, stuffed mirlitons are a surefire hit at any gathering.
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