Chayote is basically used for human consumption, not just in the Americas but in many other countries. The consumption of the fruit is much appreciated using conventional cooking methods, such as simply boiled or used in stews and desserts, whereas the peel and leaves are usually poorly consumed, presenting however promising health properties, such as a diuretic or kidney stones dissolving capacity.
In Mexican and Latin American households and restaurants, the fruit may be boiled, baked, stuffed, mashed, fried, scalloped, or pickled, but the main method of consumption is in a broth. In some cases it can be eaten raw in salads and salsas.
Chayote have a crisp texture when raw, and a very mild flavor. They can be peeled, cut into cubes (after removing the central seed and seed area), and used as summer squash – steamed or cooked in side dishes.
In France, chayote fruit is served as a substitute for artichoke hearts. In Jamaica and Puerto Rico, the matured fruit are halved, boiled, and served; the seeds are also consumed. In New Zealand, chayote is preserved in the same manner as dill pickles.
In India, chayote is eaten together with other vegetables in a curried dish. In India, as in the Americas, the fruit and roots are not only used as food but also as fodder for cattle. In southeastern Asia, chayote is consumed similarly to French fries.
The softness of the fruit flesh makes it particularly suitable for giving consistency to baby foods, juices, sauces and pastes. Moreover, chayote has been processed into jams, sweet and pickles and sauce, to be used as a substitute for apple in pies and tarts.
Additionally, chayote starch is a good substitute for wheat flours in diverse products, which can be used by people with special nutritional requirements, such as those with celiac disease.
Medicinal use of chayote has also been documented in the literature. Data compiled in recent studies highlight the use of decoctions made from the leaves or fruits to relieve urine retention and burning during urination or to dissolve kidney stones, and as a complementary treatment for arteriosclerosis and hypertension.
The uses of chayote fruit
