Delicious Costa Rican Chayote Squash Recipes
Chayote squash is a popular ingredient in Costa Rican cuisine, and it's not hard to see why. This versatile vegetable is low in calories, high in fiber, and packed with nutrients like vitamin C, folate, and potassium. It has a mild, slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with a variety of other ingredients, making it a great addition to soups, stews, salads, and more. If you're looking to add more chayote squash to your diet, check out these delicious Costa Rican chayote squash recipes.
Chayote Squash Soup
Description
This creamy soup is the perfect way to warm up on a chilly day. It's made with chayote squash, onions, garlic, and chicken broth, and seasoned with a blend of herbs and spices. Finished with a swirl of heavy cream, it's rich, comforting, and oh-so-delicious.
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Ingredient
- 2 chayote squash, peeled and diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Equipment
- Soup pot
- Immersion blender (optional)
Method
- In a soup pot, sauté the onion and garlic until soft.
- Add the diced chayote squash, chicken broth, thyme, cumin, and cayenne pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the squash is tender.
- Use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth (or transfer to a blender and puree in batches).
- Stir in the heavy cream and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs or croutons if desired.
Notes
This soup can be made vegetarian by using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and omitting the heavy cream.
Nutrition Info
Calories: 180 | Fat: 10g | Carbohydrates: 19g | Fiber: 4g | Protein: 6g
Recipe Tips
To make a chunkier soup, dice the chayote squash into larger pieces and skip the pureeing step. You can also add other vegetables like carrots or celery for extra flavor and nutrition.
Chayote Squash Salad
Description
This refreshing salad is the perfect accompaniment to any meal. It's made with thinly sliced chayote squash, red onion, and bell pepper, tossed with a zesty lime vinaigrette. Fresh cilantro and crumbled queso fresco add the perfect finishing touches.
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
0 minutes
Ingredient
- 2 chayote squash, thinly sliced
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tsp honey
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup crumbled queso fresco
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk
Method
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper.
- Add the sliced chayote squash, red onion, and bell pepper, and toss to coat.
- Let the salad marinate for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Just before serving, sprinkle with crumbled queso fresco and chopped cilantro.
Notes
This salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
Nutrition Info
Calories: 180 | Fat: 14g | Carbohydrates: 11g | Fiber: 3g | Protein: 4g
Recipe Tips
For a spicier salad, add a minced jalapeño pepper to the dressing. You can also add other vegetables like cucumbers or tomatoes for extra crunch.
Chayote Squash and Chicken Stew
Description
This hearty stew is a meal in itself, packed with tender chunks of chicken, chayote squash, and other vegetables. Flavored with a blend of herbs and spices, it's warming, comforting, and perfect for a chilly night.
Prep Time
20 minutes
Cook Time
45 minutes
Ingredient
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 2 chayote squash, peeled and diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
Equipment
- Dutch oven
Method
- In a Dutch oven, brown the chicken until cooked through.
- Add the chayote squash, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, chicken broth, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the vegetables are tender.
- Serve hot, garnished with chopped cilantro.
Notes
This stew can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Nutrition Info
Calories: 280 | Fat: 4g | Carbohydrates: 22g | Fiber: 5g | Protein: 38g
Recipe Tips
For a vegetarian version of this stew, omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You can also add other vegetables like potatoes or sweet potatoes.
Enjoy these delicious Costa Rican chayote squash recipes and discover the versatility of this amazing vegetable.
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