the chayote-mirliton experience

Sechium edule is native to Mexico and is a cucurbit -- which is to say in the same family as squash, melons and cucumbers. As a food, it is popularly known there -- and in California -- as chayote. The exact same food is known in Louisiana Creole/Cajun culture as the mirliton. It was a wonderful experience for me to learn about both versions around the same time. The experience was consummated when Kate bought chayote in our local California supermarket and prepared stuffed mirlitons as she knows them from her native Louisiana. The end result: a harmonious encounter between two worlds in a casserole dish.