Chayote
in English is called vegetable pear!
Why
is it called a vegetable pear? Because is a tropical fruit shaped like a pear,
with green skin and white flesh. Chayote is usually cooked and eaten as a
vegetable.
So
many people have asked me about chayote in English, what is it and what do they
do with it? Records show that chayote has been cultivated in Mexico since
pre-Columbian times and was introduced into Europe during the 18th century
before spreading to Africa, Asia, and Australia.
As
a vegetable, the fruit, stems, young leaves, and swollen parts of the roots are
consumed. It can be eaten plain or mixed into stews and casseroles.
So,
what exactly is the chayote? It belongs to the squash family. A “vegetable
pear” is another name for it.
The
chayote is known as a christophene in France. The flesh is quite crisp, similar
to the texture of water chestnut.
The
fruit/vegetable is generally green in color and shaped like a pear, with smooth
skin and deep grooves running down its length. It’s like an unappealing green
pear.
Read also: 11 Amazing Health Benefits of Pawpaw (Carica Papaya)
Chayote Nutritional Facts
If
you’re trying to make chayote squash, you might be starting to wonder what
nutrients you’ll get from the finished product. One glass of chayote fruit
contains approximately:
- 0
grams of fat - 2.2
g of fiber - 2.2
g of fiber - 25
calories - 2.2
g of sugar - 1.0
milligrams zinc - 0.6
milligrams niacin - 6
g carbohydrates - 1.1
grams of protein - 123
micrograms folate - 10.2
milligrams of vitamin C - 0.2
milligrams manganese - 5.4
micrograms of vitamin K - 165
milligrams potassium - 0.1
milligrams of vitamin B6 - 15.8
milligrams magnesium
Chayote Uses
The
flesh, leaves, stems, roots, and seeds can all be used in chayote squash
recipes because the entire chayote squash is edible. The flesh is typically
lightly cooked, though it can also be eaten uncooked.
Read also: Why Pears Should be Eaten Every Day – The Facts Revealed
You
can use the mildly flavored fruit with or without the peel. It is frequently
served with butter or olive oil, salt, and pepper, along with other squashes.
The
plant’s starchy tubers can be prepared similarly to potatoes, while the leaves
and shoots can add flavor to salads, stir-fries, and stews.
Additionally,
some people make medicinal tea from the chayote plant’s leaves.
How To Eat Chayote
There
are several options for how to cook chayote squash and how to eat chayote. It
can be baked, boiled, or sautéed, just like other vegetables.
It
can also be consumed raw. Its young tuberous roots are frequently shaped like
potatoes.
Most
people like to thinly slice and lightly cook the squash before adding it to any
chayote recipe. It, like jicama, can be eaten raw in salsas, ceviches, and
salads. It is also pickled.
It
is not necessary to peel mirliton squash, but the skin or rind can be tough, so
remove it first.
Some
people choose to leave it on to maximize the nutritional content of the squash
because, like other fruits, the peel contains a lot of nutrition.
After
peeling (or not peeling), cut the flesh lengthwise in half to make it easier to
remove the hard seed in the center.
Once
the seed has been removed, the squash can be cut into cubes or slices.
Health Benefits Of Chayote
It Prevents Cancer
Read also: 20 Best Foods to Eat During Pregnancy and 10 Foods to Avoid
In
general, eating vegetables and fruits has been linked to a lower risk of
developing cancer. Chayote, as a fruit, may aid in the prevention of cancer
formation in the body.
In
particular, recent in vitro (test tube) research has revealed that compounds
found in chayote squash may inhibit the progression of certain cancer cells,
such as leukemia and cervical cancer.
It Boost Digestive System
Mirliton
squash, with its high fiber content and digestive-boosting nutrients (such as
folate), is a food that can benefit digestive health in a variety of ways.
Mirliton
squash, a fiber-rich prebiotic food, aids in constipation prevention while also
encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Gut health is
important for both physical and mental health, according to new research.
It is A Great Source of Folate
Mirliton
squash is high in many essential nutrients, the most important of which is
folate. What’s the big deal about folic acid-rich foods?
In
the human body, this B vitamin is required for cellular division and DNA
formation.
A
lack of folate can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms, including fatigue,
impaired immune function, and impaired digestion.
Folate
is an especially important nutrient for pregnant women to consume because it
has been linked to the prevention of birth defects known as neural tube
defects, such as spina bifida.
It Improves Liver Health
Several
studies have shown that chayote can improve liver health and function.
One
study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in 2014
highlights how Sechium edule extracts, which have already been shown to lower
cholesterol levels, may also help to prevent and improve fatty liver disease.
Animal
studies published in 2015 show that extracts of S. edule shoots can modulate
fat accumulation in the liver and even reduce obesity in high-fat diet-fed
animals.
More
clinical research is needed, but chayote squash, as part of a healthy diet, may
provide a significant boost to liver health.
Natural Antimicrobial
An
antimicrobial is something that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms.
Extracts of chayote’s leaf, stem, and seed have been shown to have
antimicrobial properties against antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as
methicillin-resistant staphylococci bacteria.
According
to a study published in the journal Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease,
chayote extracts have impressive antimicrobial activity and may even have
clinical applications as a “natural source of new powerful antimicrobial
compounds.”
Read also: Is Potato a Vegetable?
A Word From GetMe Treated
By now, we believe
you should know Chayote in English and why is it called a vegetable pear. Don’t
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