Cookbook:Mirliton Casserole

| United States cuisine | Cajun cuisine

Mirliton casserole is a easy dish that works well as a side vegetable. It can be made with either seafood or meat, though it is most commonly made with shrimp or ground beef.

Ingredients

 * 6 medium mirliton (chayote squash), halved lengthwise
 * 1 medium yellow onion, diced
 * 2–3 stalks celery, sliced or diced
 * 1 medium to large green bell pepper, diced
 * 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
 * 1 lb (500 g) whole shrimp, peeled OR ½ lb (250 g) ground beef (optional)
 * 1 bay leaf
 * Salt
 * Pepper
 * Parsley
 * Bread crumbs
 * 1 stick (½ cup / 113 g) butter (olive oil may be substituted)

Procedure

 * 1) Place mirliton halves seed-side up in a microwave- or oven-safe dish with approximately 1 inch (2.5cm) of water in the dish. Cover with foil (for oven) or plastic wrap (for microwave) and cook in oven (350°F/175°C) or microwave (high at 10 minute intervals) until mirliton are soft enough to stick a fork or knife through easily. Allow mirliton to cool enough to be handled and dice into large pieces.
 * 2) Sauté onion, celery, and garlic in butter over medium heat, adding garlic to sauté just before onion, celery, and garlic are fully softened.
 * 3) Add shrimp or beef to pan until beef is lightly browned or until shrimp is just turning pink. Skip this step if you aren't adding meat.
 * 4) Incorporate mirliton and bay leaf and allow to simmer for 5–10 minutes.
 * 5) Remove from heat and add salt, pepper, and parsley to taste. Pour mixture into a casserole dish and cover with bread crumbs.
 * 6) Bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until the mirliton is bubbling and the bread crumbs are browned.