What Is Chayote Squash, Exactly?

Sure, you know about pumpkins (and their lattes) and have likely heard about butternut and acorn squash, too. But what about chayote squash? Similar to a pear in size and shape, this bright green gourd is a type of summer squash that boasts a long, vibrant history and is stocked with essential nutrients such as fiber, magnesium, and calcium. Here are chayote's benefits, along with how to buy, cook, and eat chayote.

What Is Chayote?

Chayote (aka vegetable pear or mirliton) is a type of summer squash, says Wesley McWhorter, M.S., R.D., chef and dietitian at UTHealth School of Public Health. It's technically considered a fruit — much like a tomato — but it probably isn't something you want to bite into like an apple.

Mild in taste and crunchy in texture, this lumpy green gourd grows on a long climbing vine in warm climates across the globe.

History of Chayote Use

While it only made its way to the U.S. in the late nineteenth century, chayote’s been cultivated since pre-Columbian times, according to the Center for New Crops and Plant Products at Purdue University.

In fact, findings suggest that a variety of chayote squash — Sechium edule — was widely distributed in “Mesoamerica” (the geographical and cultural area extending from Mexico down through Central America, including Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador). From there, it’s believed that the pear-shaped squash spread south towards (and throughout) South America, further solidifying itself as an integral part of cuisines and even medical treatments, according to the Center for New Crops and Plant Products at Purdue University.

Chayote's Nutrition Facts

Chayote contains essential vitamins and minerals and filling fiber. It's also low in calories, carbs, and fat.

Benefits of Chayote

Research suggests that eating chayote may have several potent health benefits.

Boosts Antioxidants, Vitamins, and Minerals

Chayote contains an array of beneficial plant compounds. Similar to other fruit, chayote is high in antioxidants and vitamins — specifically vitamin B9 (folate), vitamin C, polyphenols, and amino acids. Chayote also contains essential minerals, such as mood-boosting magnesium and bone-strengthening calcium.

A review of studies on chayote published in the journal Food Chemistry found an inverse relationship between the consumption of chayote and chronic diseases. However, the authors noted that more research is needed to fully understand its most important compounds and benefits.

Aids Gut Health

Research has shown that chayote and its roots are a valuable source of quality starch and fiber. Fiber is a nutrient that is important to digestive health and is known to benefit the gut microbiome.

Improves Satiety

The complex carbohydrates and fiber in chayote also allow it to be digested slowly, keeping you full for longer after a meal.

May Have Anti-Inflammatory Effects

A preliminary study in the journal Antioxidants found that dried chayote may have anti-inflammatory effects in adults with metabolic syndrome, which is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. However, the study was small and more research is needed to look as chayote's possible uses for reducing inflammation and managing blood sugar.

Supports Heart Health

Chayote is a good source of fiber and research shows that high-fiber diets are linked with a lower risk of heart disease. In addition, an article in Advances in Health Science Research suggests that chayote juice may have positive effects on blood pressure in older adults.

How to Buy Chayote

Chayote is available in grocery stores. However, if your produce section leaves something to be desired, you may have better luck finding it at more of a specialty store such as Whole Foods or at your local farmers' market. Because warm climates offer a longer growing season for chayote squash, it's more likely that the fruit will be available year-long in areas with warmer weather.

To choose a ripe chayote, look for one that's firm to the touch, between light and dark green in color, and without any brown soft spots (varying colors are fine as long as the fruit is firm).

How to Cook and Eat Chayote

A vast amount of the nutrients are in the peel, so be sure to keep it on while cooking and eating. Overall, chayote works well as a replacement for starchy vegetables for anyone looking to cut carbs or who is following a low-carb diet such as keto or Atkins.

There's no one answer as to how to cook chayote. You can eat all parts of the squash, which makes it versatile for cooking and eating. Each method will bring out different flavors and textures. For example, grilling caramelizes the chayote due to its sugar content.

Need a little inspo? Here's how to enjoy chayote squash at home:

• Eat it raw: Chef Saul Montiel from Cantina Rooftop in New York City uses it raw and julienned to add crunch to a salad; finished with lime juice, spicy Mexican seasoning (Tajin), and olive oil and, violá, you've got yourself an easy (and fibrous!) chayote creation.
• Use it in soup: The mild flavor means that you can season the squash to suit any palette. Chayote can handle bold spices such as chipotle, harissa, and curry. "My favorite way to use chayote is in a traditional soup that my mom served at her restaurant in Mexico: mole de olla," says Chef Montiel. It's made of chayote squash, zucchini, green beans, corn, potato, chambarete and aguja (steak) meat, submerged into a chili broth, and seasoned with garlic, onion, and epazote (a Mexican herb). "The chayote balances the spiciness and adds a sweet taste to the short rib soup," says Chef Montiel.
• Roast it: One of the easiest ways to begin experimenting with chayote (or any new vegetable, TBH) is by roasting it. McWhorter recommends this simple roasted chayote recipe: 2 tablespoons oil of your choice + ground black pepper + 1 pound chopped chayote. Bake at 375°F for 15 to 20 minutes. Then add salt-but only after the chayote is cooked. Science lesson: Salt draws moisture out of plant cell walls through osmosis. "If you draw moisture out while a water-rich vegetable (or fruit) cooks, it leads to a dehydrated and burnt final product with poor texture, especially with summer squash and eggplant varieties," says McWhorter. If you wait until after, you still get the salty taste — without the risk of ruining the chayote in the process. Bottom line: This tip is going to change your roasting game forever.