10+ Mirlitons Recipes for Delicious Dishes to Savor

Mirlitons, also known as chayote, are a versatile and tasty ingredient that can enhance many dishes. With their unique texture and mild flavor, mirlitons can be used in a variety of recipes, making them a great addition to your cooking repertoire. These squash-like vegetables not only offer numerous health benefits but also bring a fresh twist to traditional meals.

Whether you’re looking for a healthy side dish or a flavorful main course, mirlitons can easily fit the bill. You can experiment with stuffing them, baking them, or using them in casseroles. Dive into the world of mirliton recipes and discover how to incorporate this delightful ingredient into your meals.

Mirliton Stuffing Casserole

Mirliton stuffing casserole is a flavorful dish that’s sure to impress. You will start by preparing the mirlitons, which are also known as chayote. Cook them until they are tender, then scoop out the flesh.

In a large bowl, mix the mirliton pulp with ingredients like shrimp, onion, bell peppers, and garlic. This combination creates a delicious stuffing. Transfer this mixture into a casserole dish, then sprinkle breadcrumbs on top for added crunch.

Drizzle some olive oil over the breadcrumbs. Bake your casserole in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for about 40 to 45 minutes, or until golden brown. This dish pairs well with fresh salads and other side dishes.

Ingredients

• 2 to 3 mirlitons
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Boil mirlitons until tender, about 40 minutes.
3. Scoop out the pulp and mix with shrimp, onion, bell pepper, and garlic.
4. Transfer mixture to a casserole dish and top with breadcrumbs.
5. Drizzle with olive oil.
6. Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until golden brown.

2) Shrimp and Mirliton Soup

Shrimp and Mirliton soup is a delicious treat from Louisiana. This warm soup brings together the tender texture of mirlitons and the fresh flavor of shrimp.

Start by cooking the mirlitons until soft. Scoop out the flesh and set it aside. Then, sauté some onions, garlic, and celery in butter until they become soft. Add flour to thicken the soup.

Next, pour in chicken stock and bring it to a boil. Stir in the shrimp and mirliton flesh. Let the soup simmer for a few minutes until the shrimp turns pink.

This dish is perfect for sharing. It pairs well with crusty bread for dipping!

Ingredients

• 8 mirlitons
• ¼ cup Louisiana pecan oil
• ½ cup butter
• 1 cup chopped sweet onion
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1½ teaspoons minced garlic
• 4 cups chicken stock
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook mirlitons in boiling water until fork-tender.
2. Scoop out flesh and set aside.
3. Sauté onions, garlic, and celery in butter until soft.
4. Add flour and mix well.
5. Pour in chicken stock and bring to a boil.
6. Stir in shrimp and mirliton flesh.
7. Simmer until shrimp are pink, about 2-3 minutes.

Mirliton and Corn Fritters

Mirliton and corn fritters are a tasty treat you can easily make. These fritters combine the delicate flavor of mirlitons with the sweetness of corn. They make a perfect appetizer or snack.

To start, you will need cooked and chopped mirlitons. Mix them with corn, flour, eggs, and seasonings. This combination creates a flavorful batter. Then, heat oil in a deep fryer to 350°F (about 175°C).

Once the oil is hot, drop spoonfuls of the mixture into the fryer. Cook them until they are golden brown. Make sure to turn them so they cook evenly on all sides.

When the fritters are ready, remove them and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil. Enjoy your crispy mirliton and corn fritters with a dipping sauce if you like!

Ingredients:

• 3 cooked mirlitons, chopped
• 1 cup corn
• ½ cup flour
• 2 eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooking oil for frying

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix chopped mirlitons, corn, flour, and eggs in a bowl.
2. Heat oil in a deep fryer to 350°F (175°C).
3. Drop spoonfuls of the mixture into the hot oil.
4. Cook until golden brown, turning as needed.
5. Drain on paper towels and serve warm.

4) Cajun Mirliton Casserole

Cajun Mirliton Casserole is a tasty dish that showcases the unique flavor of mirlitons, also known as chayote squash. You will enjoy how it combines shrimp, sausage, and the classic Cajun trinity of bell peppers, onions, and celery.

To prepare, start by boiling the mirlitons until they are tender. Peel, slice, and chop them before mixing with cooked shrimp and sausage. Season with herbs and spices to enhance the flavors.

Finally, layer everything in a baking dish. Bake it at 375°F (190°C) until it’s heated through and bubbly. This dish makes a great side or main meal during any gathering.

Ingredients

• 2 mirlitons (chayote squash)
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup pork sausage
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• Herbs and spices to taste
• Butter for greasing

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil mirlitons until tender, about 45 minutes.
2. Peel and chop the mirlitons.
3. Cook shrimp and sausage in a pan.
4. Mix chopped mirlitons with shrimp and sausage.
5. Layer in a greased baking dish.
6. Bake at 375°F (190°C) until bubbly, about 30 minutes.

5) Mirliton Jam with Lemon Zest

Mirliton jam with lemon zest is a delightful treat. It combines the mild flavor of mirlitons with the bright, zesty taste of lemon. This jam is great on toast or as a topping for desserts.

To make this jam, start by peeling and chopping your mirlitons. Boil them until tender. Then, mash them to create a smooth puree.

In a pot, mix the mirliton puree with sugar and lemon juice. You can also add lemon zest for an extra burst of flavor. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently until it thickens.

Once thickened, pour the jam into sterilized jars. Make sure to seal the jars properly. Allow them to cool completely before storing in the refrigerator.

Ingredients

• 2 mirlitons
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 lemon (juice and zest)
• Water for boiling

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel and chop mirlitons.
2. Boil mirlitons until tender, then mash into a puree.
3. In a pot, mix mirliton puree, sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
4. Cook over medium heat, stirring until thickened.
5. Pour into sterilized jars and seal.
6. Let cool and store in the refrigerator.

Baked Mirlitons with Crab

Baked mirlitons with crab is a delicious dish that highlights the unique flavor of this vegetable. Mirlitons, also known as chayotes, make a great shell for stuffing. When filled with a mixture of crab meat, they offer a tasty seafood treat.

To prepare, start by cooking the mirlitons until they are tender. You can boil them in salted water for about 20 to 25 minutes. Once soft, let them cool and then scoop out the flesh.

Mix the crab meat with some seasonings and breadcrumbs to create a flavorful filling. Then, stuff the mixture back into the mirliton halves. A sprinkle of more breadcrumbs on top adds a nice crunch when baked.

Bake the stuffed mirlitons in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes. This will give them a golden color and crispy texture.

Ingredients

• 4 mirlitons
• 1 cup crab meat
• Salt, to taste
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Optional seasonings (like garlic or herbs)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Boil the mirlitons in salted water for 20-25 minutes until tender.
3. Let them cool, then cut in half and scoop out the flesh.
4. Mix crab meat, breadcrumbs, and seasonings in a bowl.
5. Stuff the mirlitons with the crab mixture.
6. Bake for 20 minutes until golden.

7) Mirliton Slaw with Apple Cider Vinaigrette

Mirliton slaw is a fresh and crunchy side dish. It’s perfect for adding brightness to any meal. The star of this recipe is the mirliton, which adds a mild flavor and a nice texture.

To make the slaw, start by salting the sliced mirliton. Let it sit for about 20 to 30 minutes. This will help draw out some moisture.

Next, mix the drained mirlitons with bell peppers, jalapeños, green onions, and parsley. The colors make your dish appealing and full of flavor.

For the dressing, whisk together apple cider vinegar, olive oil, sugar, and red pepper flakes. This combination gives your slaw a tangy kick. Drizzle it over the vegetables and toss everything together.

Enjoy your mirliton slaw with apple cider vinaigrette as a side dish or on tacos.

Ingredients

• 2 mirlitons, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 jalapeño, diced
• 3 green onions, chopped
• Fresh parsley, to taste
• 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Sprinkle salt on the sliced mirliton and let it sit for 20-30 minutes.
2. Drain the mirlitons and combine them with bell pepper, jalapeño, green onions, and parsley.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together vinegar, olive oil, sugar, and red pepper flakes.
4. Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture and toss to combine.

8) Spicy Pickled Mirlitons

Making spicy pickled mirlitons is a fun way to add flavor to your meals. Mirlitons, or chayote, soak up the tangy and spicy marinade, creating a delicious treat.

You’ll need to start by slicing your mirlitons and removing the seeds. Then mix them with fresh vegetables like carrots and onions.

For the spicy kick, you can add whole cayenne peppers. You can adjust the heat level to your liking!

Ingredients

• 3 large mirlitons
• 1 cup carrots, sliced
• 1 cup onions, sliced
• 4 whole cayenne peppers
• 2 quarts rice wine vinegar
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp salt
• 36 bay leaves
• 4 heads garlic, peeled

Cooking Instructions

1. Cut the mirlitons in half and remove the seeds.
2. Slice them into ½-inch pieces.
3. Combine mirlitons, carrots, onions, and garlic in a bowl.
4. In a pot, mix vinegar, sugar, and salt.
5. Bring the mixture to a boil, then pour it over your vegetables.
6. Add bay leaves and cayenne peppers.
7. Let the mixture cool, then refrigerate for at least two days before enjoying.

9) Bacon-Wrapped Mirlitons

Bacon-wrapped mirlitons are a tasty treat that combines the flavors of bacon with the unique texture of mirlitons. This dish makes a great appetizer or side dish.

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Cut the mirlitons in half and scoop out a bit of the flesh. Make sure to keep the skins intact.

Next, season the inside of the mirlitons with your favorite spices. Then, take pieces of bacon and wrap them around each mirlitons half. Secure the bacon with toothpicks if needed.

Place the wrapped mirlitons on a baking sheet. Bake in the oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until the bacon is crispy.

Enjoy your delicious bacon-wrapped mirlitons!

Ingredients

• 4 mirlitons
• 8 slices of bacon
• Spices of your choice (salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc.)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cut mirlitons in half and scoop out flesh.
3. Season the inside of the mirlitons.
4. Wrap each half with bacon.
5. Secure bacon with toothpicks if needed.
6. Place on baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes.

10) Mirliton and Chicken Stew

Mirliton and chicken stew is a delightful dish that’s full of flavor. You’ll enjoy how the mirlitons add a unique texture and taste to the stew.

Start by preparing your ingredients, keeping everything ready for cooking.

Begin by peeling the mirlitons and cutting them into small cubes. You’ll also need to season chicken pieces with salt and pepper before cooking.

In a large pot, heat some oil and brown the chicken on all sides.

Once the chicken is nicely browned, you can add your mirlitons along with chopped onions and garlic. Stir everything together for a few minutes.

Next, pour in chicken broth and let it come to a gentle boil.

Simmer the stew for about 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the mirlitons are tender.

Ingredients

• 2 mirlitons
• 1 pound chicken pieces
• Salt and pepper
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups chicken broth

Cooking Instructions

1. Peel and cube the mirlitons.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
3. Heat oil in a large pot and brown the chicken.
4. Add mirlitons, onion, and garlic; stir for a few minutes.
5. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil.
6. Simmer for 30 minutes until everything is cooked.