Jamaican Chayote and Spicy Chicken Stew Cooking Recipe

Jamaican Chayote and Spicy Chicken Stew Cooking Recipe

Sizzling hot in a fantastic way, this effortless stew boasts a symphony of flavors thanks to the well-browned chicken and undervalued chayote gourd. Whether you call it chocho, mirliton, christophene, or vegetable pear, this Caribbean staple adds a unique twist to this recipe. Opt for females with smooth skin as they're easier to prepare, but either gender works just fine. Shop for firm, blemish-free chayotes.

Craving a spicy kick? We went all out with an habanero pepper, but you can tone it down with less habanero or swap it out for milder jalapeño peppers. The heat helps this stew improve with time, so it's an excellent choice for meal prep.

Find this recipe in our Cooking with Fall Ingredients story. Satisfy your sweet tooth with a slice of Jamaican rum cake for dessert.

• Servings: 6
• Skill Level: Easy
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr

Grocery List

• 4 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tbsp curry powder
• 1.5 tsp ground allspice
• 1 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
• 2 lbs chicken legs & thighs, cleaned & dried
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 0.5 medium white onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 habanero pepper, stemmed & finely chopped
• 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1 russet potato, large dice
• 1 sweet potato, large dice
• 1 medium chayote gourd, pit removed & cut into 1-inch pieces
• 4 cups water
• 2 tsp white vinegar

Instructions

1. Mix salt, curry powder, allspice, and black pepper in a small bowl until even. Rub 1/2 of the mix on the chicken and set aside.
2. Heat oil in a 3-qt Dutch oven over medium heat. Once the oil shimmers, add remaining spices and veggies, cooking till softened, approximately 2 minutes.
3. Add chicken pieces, browning on all sides for around 5 minutes per side.
4. Add all remaining ingredients, except vinegar. Simmer, uncovered, until vegetables are tender and chicken is cooked through, about 30 minutes. Stir in vinegar and serve.

Insights:

• The chayote gourd has multiple names, such as mirliton, christophene, chocho, and vegetable pear, across different cultures. They are a common ingredient in Caribbean cuisine [1][2].
• The chayote squash, known scientifically as Sechium edule, offers versatility in cooking, appearing in various dishes across the Caribbean and beyond [3][4].

1. For a unique twist in this recipe, consider the chayote gourd, a versatile ingredient often called mirliton, christophene, chocho, or vegetable pear.
2. In the instructions, before cooking the chicken, soften the onion, garlic, habanero pepper, and chayote pieces to enhance their flavors.
3. To ensure a smooth preparation process, females with smooth-skinned chayotes are recommended, but either gender works fine if that's what is available in the grocery store.

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