Name: Chayote and Zucchini Squash Salad
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 3 chayotes; 3 small zucchinis ( calabacitas ); 3 limes; 1 teaspoon of salt

Ensalada de Calabaza y Chayote

This Chayote and zucchini squash salad is a favorite of our photographer’s family. It regularly appears on their lunchtime table. It is so simple to prepare with just a few ingredients. You may think it looks bland but don’t be fooled. Lime juice brings out the bright, full flavor of the vegetables.

Chayote Zucchini Salad — Chayote and Zucchini Squash Salad

You only need 3 ingredients to prepare the salad: chayote, zucchini squash (calabacitas or calabaza). When you are purchasing the chayote, choose the spineless variety for this dish.

Chayote Zucchini Salad Ingredients — Just a few ingredients: chayote, zucchini squash, and lime.

How to Prepare

Chayote Halved — Slice the chayotes in half.

Slice the chayotes in half lengthwise. Don’t peel them.

Chayote in Cooking Water — Put the chayotes in a pot and cover with 3 inches of water.

Put the chayote in a large pot and over with 3 inches of cold water.

Chayote in Covered Pot — Cover and bring to a boil then reduce the heat. Cook for 5 minutes.

Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook the chayotes for 5 minutes

Sliced Zucchini — Cut the zucchini into spears.

While the chayote is cooking, remove the ends of the zucchini squash and slice into spears.

Chayote and Zucchini in Pot — Add the zucchini to the pot with the pot chayote.

Add the zucchini squash to the simmering chayote. Cover and cook for 5 more minutes until the vegetables are soft but not mushy. You want them to hold their shape when you serve them.

Zucchini Chayote in Covered Pot — Cover and cook for 5 minutes.

Remove the vegetables from the pan. When the chayotes are cool enough to handle, use a spoon to remove the hard pithy center. Discard the centers.

Remove Hard Center Chayote — Remove the tough centers from the chayotes.

Chop the chayote into 1″ pieces.

Arrange the vegetables on a serving plate sprinkle with lime juice and salt. Serve warm or at room temperature. Don’t serve this salad chilled. It makes the flavors taste flat.

Chayote and Zucchini Salad — Arrange vegetables on a serving plate.

Chayote and Zucchini Squash Salad

Prep 5 mins

Cook 15 mins

Total 20 mins

Author Douglas Cullen

Yield 6

Chayote and zucchini squash salad recipe - simple to prepare with just a few ingredients. Lime juice brings out the bright, full flavor of the vegetables. Serve as a side dish for the midday meal. or dinner. In Spanish, it is called, ensalada de calabaza y chayote.

Ingredients

3 chayotes
3 small zucchinis (calabacitas)
3 limes
1 teaspoon of salt

Instructions

Cut the chayotes in half lengthwise.
Put them in a large pot and cover with water.
Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Cook for 5 minutes.
Slice the zucchini into spears.
Add them to the pot with the chayote. Cover and cook for 5 more minutes.
Drain the vegetables.
Chop the chayote into 1" pieces.
Arrange the vegetables on a serving plate.
Sprinkle the vegetables with salt and the juice from the 3 limes.

Courses Salad

Cuisine Mexican

More Mexican Salads and Side Dishes

Comments

Timaree says

August 11, 2016 at 4:20 pm

This will be fun to serve my vegan son to put a change of pace in the taco dinner he always asks for when he visits! Thanks for saying those smaller squash are zucchini. I sometimes need zucchini for a recipe and the stores don’t always have the kind I am used to but they always seem to have these and I wondered if they could be subbed. I have my answer!