Chayotes Stuffed With Beef Or Pork Recipes

CHAYOTES RELLENOS AL CARI (STUFFED CHAYOTES WITH CURRIED BEEF)

Steps:

• Split chayotes lengthwise in half. Put in kettle of cold water with salt to taste. Bring to boil and let 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 edible seeds of each half, leaving shell about eighth of an inch thick or slightly thicker. Set shells side. Finely chop flesh and seeds. There should be about one cup.
• When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
• Heat tablespoon of butter in saucepan and add onion and garlic. Cook briefly, stirring, and add curry powder. Add meat and cook, stirring and chopping down with side of heavy metal spoon to break up lumps in meat.
• When meat has lost raw look, add chopped pulp of chayotes. Stir. Scrape mixture into mixing bowl.
• Add egg, quarter cup of bread crumbs, pine nuts, pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Blend well.
• Use mixture to stuff chayote halves. Pile up and smooth over.
• Blend remaining bread crumbs with 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.

STUFFED CHAYOTES (CHAYOTES RELLENOS)

Steps:

• In a large pot, boil halved chayotes until tender.
• In a large pan, add OO or non stick spray. Add tomato sauce and sofrito. Let simmer in medium heat for about 5 minutes.
• Add meat and season with adobo.
• When chayotes are done, remove the flesh in the middle area.
• Add this flesh to the meat.
• Stuff chayotes with meat.
• Cover with slice of cheese.
• Place in oven for 35 minutes @ 350°F
• Remove from oven and serve.

MIRLITON (CHAYOTE) CASSEROLE

Steps:

• 1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the mirlitons and cook until tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from the heat, drain, and set aside to cool completely.
• 2. Sprinkle ground beef, pork or sausage with 1 tablespoon creole seasoning and brown in heavy skillet. Drain and set aside.
• 3. When the mirlitons are cool, cut them in half lengthwise, remove the seeds, peel, and coarsely chop. Set aside.
• 4. Heat the olive oil in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add the onions, bell peppers, carrots, celery, green onions and jalapeno. Add remaining creole seasoning and the thyme. Cook slowly, stirring, until the vegetables are soft and lightly golden, about 30 minutes.
• 5. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes. Add the mirlitons and cook, mashing them with a potato masher, until very tender and most of the liquid has evaporated, about 30 minutes.
• 6. At this point, if you want a smoother textured casserole use an immersion blender or put mixture into a food processor or blender in small batches until everything is pureed. If you like a chunkier casserole then skip this step.
• 7. Add the meats or seafood, salt, black pepper, and parsley. Cook about 3 to 4 minutes stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Remove from the heat.
• 8. Add the eggs and toasted bread crumbs and mix well. You want the mixture to be tight, not too wet. Spoon the mixture into a 9 by 13-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle with mozzarella or parmesan cheese (optional), or with about 1-2 tablespoons of bread crumbs.
• 9. Bake at 350 until the topping is lightly browned and bubbly, about 40 minutes. Serve warm.
• 10. *NOTES: In a skillet, toast the breadcrumbs in a little olive oil over medium heat until it turns 2 shades darker. This will keep the casserole from being gummy.
• 11. If you make extra toasted breadcrumbs you can freeze them in a ziplock bag until you're ready to use them again.