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You are here: Home / Salads / Chayote and Zucchini Squash Salad

Chayote and Zucchini Squash Salad

Douglas Cullen, This blog generates income via ads and affiliate links which earn us a small commission.

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 cover 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.

Chopped Chayote
Chop the chayote.

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 Zucchini Salad
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Chayote and Zucchini Squash Salad

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.
Course Salad
Cuisine Mexican
Keyword chayote, salad, vegan, vegetarian, zucchini
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 39kcal
Author Douglas Cullen

Ingredients

  • 3 chayotes
  • 3 small zucchinis calabacitas
  • 3 limes
  • 1 tsp. 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 39kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 397mg | Potassium: 372mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 215IU | Vitamin C: 32.3mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 0.8mg

More Mexican Salads and Side Dishes

  • Beet Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette
  • Mexican Green Rice
  • Cactus Salad
  • Cucumber Salad
  • Spicy Tuna Salad
  • Spicy Pineapple Salad

More Salads

  • Salpicón
  • Avocado Salad
  • Beet Salad with Feta Cheese and Citrus Balsamic Viniagrette
  • Spicy Mexican Fruit Salad

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. 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!

    Reply

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Hola, I am Douglas. Let me share my love of Mexican Cuisine with you that developed over 20+ years of living in Mexico.

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D. Cullen Profile Picture

Hola, I am Douglas. Let me share my love of Mexican Cuisine with you that developed over 20+ years of living in Mexico.

More about me →


Most Popular Recipes

  • Classic Salsa Verde
  • Restaurant Style Salsa
  • Traditional Sopa de Fideo
  • Red Pork Pozole
  • Chicken Tinga
  • Agua de Jamaica
  • Tres Leches Cake
  • Beet Salad with Feta Cheese and Citrus Balsamic Viniagrette
  • Red Enchilada Sauce
  • Mole Poblano

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