Spicy Pan Roasted Chayote Squash made with Chayote Squash , Kashmiri chili, cumin and salt. Perfect as side or even great as taco filling. Vegan and vegetarian side dish ready under 20 minutes.Less than 54 calories in a serving
If you are looking for alternative to mild tasting squash like zucchini try chayote squash. I made this pan roasted chayote squash with touch of spices. Simple sides go well with bowl of rice or you can even use as taco filling with some fresh avocado, onion, and cheese.
Chayote squash
Chayote also known as mirliton, choko, tayota, chocho (Jamaica), chow chow (India) and chuchu (Brazil), is an edible plant belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae.
This chayote fruit is mostly used cooked. When cooked, chayote is usually handled like summer squash; it is generally lightly cooked to retain the crispy consistency. Raw chayote may be added to salads or salsas, most often marinated with lemon or lime juice. Cooked one is tastier than raw one as it does not have any flavor of its own. Whether raw or cooked, chayote is a good source of vitamin C.
Chayote is a great source of fiber, plus its packed with folate, choline, and magnesium. It is also extremely low in calories about 25 calories in a cup with carbs just under 6 grams You can eat it without thinking too much about it.
How to cook Chayote?
Chayote is the vegetable you can cook, bake, or stir fry since it blends well with flavors as it is mild its own.
You can make curries with chayote/ chow chow with lentils. Even stir fry or sautéed chayote taste great.
You can add it to soup as it retains the shape after cooking.
You can roast chayote in the oven with 2 tablespoons oil of choice + ground black pepper + 1-pound chopped chayote. Bake at 375°F for 15 to 20 minutes. Make sure to add salt-but only after the chayote is cooked. Because salt draws moisture out of plant cell walls through osmosis. This is mainly because salt will 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.
Or you can try this pan fry of chayote squash. I like this Spicy Pan Roasted Chayote Squash. Made with simple spices, only little of heat from Kashmiri chili powder and black pepper, along with warm spice Cumin.
How to make this Spicy Pan roasted Chayote Squash.
With following few ingredients, you can make Pan Roasted Chayote squash
Chayote squash: You need to peel the skin. The seed is edible but I do not like to use it, so I removed it, you can keep it you want.
Kashmiri red chili has only slightly more heat than paprika. It is used for its full-bodied flavor and aroma, and to impart its vibrant red color to dishes. You can use smoked paprika.
Cumin powder: It is a warm spice, gives earthy taste and blends well with Kashmiri red chili powder.
Black pepper: Heat and pungent is from the black pepper.
Salt: Adds flavor to the dish
Red onion: caramelized red onion brings natural sweetness to dish.
Oil: I used coconut oil you can use your favorite oil. I like the taste and smell of coconut oil.
Turmeric powder: Yes, Turmeric adds anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
This spicy Pan roasted chayote is an excellent side dish and goes well with rice or any flat bread. If you want, you can convert it into a filling for your tacos. Best part is that it is full of vitamin C and low calories.
If you try this recipe, please tag me in Instagram @nidhinikhil and Facebook @zestysouthindiankitchen
Spicy Pan Roasted Chayote Squash
Equipment
- Cast Iron Pan
Ingredients
- 2 chayote squash skin is peeled and cubed into ½ inch pieces
- ½ teaspoon Kashmiri chili powder use smoked paprika (also use ¼ teaspoon if you don't want spicy
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- ½ cup chopped onion.
- 1 garlic clove
Instructions
- In a cast iron pan heat coconut oil and add onion and garlic when onion becomes translucent about 4-5 minutes.
- Add chayote squash ( peeled the skin and chopped into ½ inch pieces). To this add salt, turmeric, Kashmiri chili powder/paprika and cook until chayote squash is cooked through well about 8 – 10 minutes. Then add pepper and switch of the flame.
- Enjoy with bowl or rice or flatbread.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This is Swathi ( Dr. Ambujom Saraswathy Ph.D) from Zesty South Indian Kitchen who loves to explore cuisines from all over the world. Whenever possible I try to to give an Indian touch to several of the world cuisine, and has weakness for freshly baked bread. All the recipes you see here are created by me and approved after taste-test by my family.
Cpg says
Great flavor. Excellent spice. I love making this for my family.
Melinda says
There’s a lot to love about this recipe! The spices, the low calorie count and of course the ease with preparation! I’ll be making this again.
Giangi Townsend says
We love all the flavors of this dish. My husband could not stop eating it as he loved all the spices.
Thank you for the recipe
Emily says
The added spice really took this squash to the next level. I took it to a party and it was enjoyed by everyone!
Stephanie says
I never know what to do with squash so I was excited to try this recipe. This makes for a delicious side dish with the perfect spice!
Andréa Janssen says
We loved this roasted squash recipe. All the flavors blended together and made this a more than delicious dish!
Deb says
Before finding your recipe, I never tried this kind of squash. I loved it, absolutely gonna make it again soon.
Debra says
Newbie to Chayote...thanks for making it so easy and tasty!
Giangi Townsend says
A bit of spicy food is lovely to have in my repertoire. We all love this recipe, and even I can handle the spices. Thank you for another great recipe.
Gloria says
I love all kinds of squash. I have never tried this kind. I will see if I can hunt it down at the grocery store and give this a try.
megane says
This is a great spice mix with the chayote. We really loved it. I will use this recipe a lot as we can so many of the vines.
Amy Liu Dong says
Definitely a great dish that looks absolutely delicious and yummy! The chayote squash was roasted to perfection making it so enticing and tempting! Loved it!
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
This sounds wonderful!! I need to try this!! pinned!
Bernice says
That spice mixture sounds like it would compliment the sweet squash perfectly!
Jeannie says
I like the flavors and its so easy to make! Great side dish for us.
Michelle says
Such a delicious side dish! Thank you so much!
J.Turvey says
Made this tonight as a side with curried chicken salad... absolutely delicious! Will definitely be making this again.
Lisa says
My husband came home with these having no idea what they were because "they were only a dollar"! I googled the name on the sticker for recipes and found this. IT IS DELICIOUS! My husband loved it too. So now he's all proud of himself for his purchase haha. If we can find these at the grocery store again, we will definitely be doing this recipe again and again.
laura says
One of the best ways to may Chayote Squash!
Anosa Malanga says
I have a friend from the Philippines who share a recipe about a Sayote which they call it. Now, I have a new one to try out. Will try this out and I hope it will taste good too.
Ksenia says
I remember the first time I had chayote squash! It was so strange to peel, hit so delicious. I wish I had your recipe then!
Jamie says
I love all the spices for this squash! Delicious!
Audrey says
Such a lovely and flavorful recipe!
Marina says
Fantastic squash recipe! Love spicy food will definitely try it out! Thank you!
monica y says
The combination of flavors sounds delicious, I am going to have to try this soon
Rosemary says
This is great. I first discovered chayote in Mexico and loved it. I love this spicy version. Can't wait to try your recipe.
Catalina says
What a delicious and flavorful side dish. It's amazing!
Shoma says
I am a huge fan of squash! I need to try out your recipe this week!
Kita Bryant says
I love cooking with squash. This recipe looks absolutely delicious.
Mama Maggie's Kitchen says
This Spicy Pan Roasted Chayote Squash is making my tummy go loco! It looks absolutely divine. I am so excited to make this.
Acupofassamtea says
Delicious.Wonderful vegetarian option. Love to give it a try.
Acupofassamtea says
Sounds delicious.Wonderful vegetarian option. Love to give it a try.
Ruth I says
Oh wow i love Chayote! it's one of my favorites. I'm now excited and intrigued to try this. I'll definitely love this one and it looks very yummy.
Heather says
This squash is delicious! Love the spicy flavor. Served it with chicken.
Tasheena says
This recipe looks so yummy. We typically have this in soup.
Beth says
This looks so good! I just added Chayote Squash to my grocery list, so I can make it. I've never had it before, but it looks like my store carries it.
Heather D says
I am going to keep an eye out for this squash so I can make this!
Marysa says
This sounds like an interesting recipe. I don't know if chayote is very common here though. The local farms grow a variety of squash and I haven't seen this one. I'll have to see if I can find this.
Monica Simpson says
I have never heard of this squash before. I love how it's green but then changes after it's cooked. Since it's mild in flavor I'm sure I will like it.
Heather says
This looks so delicious! I'm not a huge spicy fan, so I'm going to try a little milder version.
Amber Myers says
This squash looks fabulous. I love spicy foods, so I know I will be all about this dish!