Chayote: Vegetable Pear

Chayote is a vegetable that I recently discovered. It tastes like a cross between a green pepper and a radish.

It is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It also has diuretic, cardiovascular, and anti-inflammatory benefits. You can cook it or eat it raw.

You can also make a tea from the leaves which can reduce arteriosclerosis and hypertension in addition to being able to dissolve kidney stones.

This is a super food people!

I buy it at a local market that caters to the Caribbean population. I have yet to find chayote at Publix which is a shame for such a beneficial food!

It looks like an old man without dentures.

Here is a recipe I put together using chayote. Diced tomatoes, avocadoes, chayote, green onions, black beans, and cilantro tossed together with a cilantro lime dressing. The dressing consists of olive oil, honey, chopped cilantro, and lime juice blended together.

I also use it in salads of all types. It's a great filler especially since it has so many health benefits.