Chayote Salad with Lemony Hot Sauce

Chayote Salad with Lemony Hot Sauce Recipe from Brazil

Region / culture: Brazil | Preparation time: 30 minutes | Cooking time: 10 minutes | Servings: 4

Introduction

Chayote Salad with Lemony Hot Sauce is a refreshing and flavorful dish that combines the mild taste of chayote with a zesty and spicy sauce. This recipe is perfect for a light and healthy meal or as a side dish to accompany your favorite main course.

History

Chayote, also known as vegetable pear or mirliton, is a type of squash that is native to Mexico and Central America. It has a mild flavor and a crisp texture, making it a versatile ingredient in many dishes. The combination of chayote with a tangy and spicy hot sauce is a popular way to enjoy this vegetable in many Latin American countries.

Ingredients

4 preserved malagueta peppers, minced (or to taste)
1 tsp salt
0.5 small onion, finely chopped
1 small garlic clove, minced
juice of 3 lemons
2 tbsp olive oil
4 medium chayote or yellow summer squash, peeled, seeded, and sliced
0.5 tsp salt
0.25 tsp freshly-ground black pepper

How to prepare

In a mortar and pestle, blender, or food processor, combine the peppers and salt. Process until the mixture forms a thick paste.
Gradually add the onion and garlic. Process, scraping down the sides of the container as necessary, until they are fully incorporated into the paste.
Add the lemon juice and process again.
Transfer the sauce to a glass bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let it stand for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
In a large heavy skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
Add the chayote and sauté, stirring occasionally, for about 10 minutes or until fork tender.
Add salt and pepper. Remove from heat and let it cool to room temperature.
Chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
Arrange the slices on a platter and drizzle with the sauce.

Variations

Add diced tomatoes or bell peppers for extra color and flavor.
Substitute lime juice for lemon juice for a different citrus twist.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to peel and seed the chayote before slicing it for this recipe.

- Adjust the amount of preserved malagueta peppers to suit your spice preference.

- Letting the sauce sit for 30 minutes allows the flavors to meld together for a more intense taste.

Serving Suggestions

Serve the Chayote Salad with Lemony Hot Sauce as a side dish with grilled chicken or fish.

- This salad can also be enjoyed on its own as a light and refreshing meal.

Cooking Techniques

Sauté the chayote until fork-tender for the best texture.

Ingredient Substitutions

Use serrano peppers or jalapeños instead of malagueta peppers for a milder sauce.

Make Ahead Tips

The sauce can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Presentation Ideas

Arrange the chayote slices on a platter and drizzle the sauce over the top for an elegant presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

Pair this salad with a crisp white wine or a light beer for a refreshing combination.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

- Reheat the salad in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

120 per serving

Carbohydrates

12g per serving

Fats

7g per serving

Proteins

2g per serving

Vitamins and minerals

Chayote is a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate.

Alergens

This recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free.

Summary

This Chayote Salad with Lemony Hot Sauce is a low-calorie and nutritious dish that is high in vitamins and minerals.

Summary

Chayote Salad with Lemony Hot Sauce is a delicious and healthy dish that is perfect for a light and refreshing meal. With its zesty and spicy flavors, this salad is sure to become a new favorite in your recipe collection.

How did I get this recipe?

I can still recall the sense of amazement I felt when I first saw the recipe for Chayote Salad with Lemony Hot Sauce. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl eager to learn the art of cooking from my elders. I had always been fascinated by the way my grandmother could take simple ingredients and turn them into delicious meals that brought our family together around the dinner table.

One day, as I was sitting at the kitchen table watching my grandmother prepare dinner, she pulled out a strange looking vegetable from her shopping bag. It was pale green and shaped like a pear, with a bumpy texture on the outside. I had never seen anything like it before.

"What is that, Grandma?" I asked, curiosity piqued.

"This, my dear, is a chayote," she replied with a smile. "It's a versatile vegetable that can be used in many dishes. Today, I'm going to show you how to make a Chayote Salad with Lemony Hot Sauce."

I watched intently as my grandmother peeled and diced the chayote, explaining each step of the process to me. She told me that she had learned this recipe from a friend who had traveled to Mexico and brought back the recipe as a souvenir. The combination of fresh chayote, tangy lemon, and spicy hot sauce sounded intriguing to me.

As the salad came together, my grandmother added a generous drizzle of homemade hot sauce made from peppers grown in her own garden. The aroma of the dish filled the kitchen, making my mouth water in anticipation.

Finally, it was time to taste the Chayote Salad with Lemony Hot Sauce. I took a bite and was immediately struck by the burst of flavors in my mouth. The crispness of the chayote combined with the zingy lemon and fiery hot sauce created a harmony of tastes that danced on my tongue.

I looked at my grandmother with awe and admiration. How had she known that these seemingly unrelated ingredients could come together to create such a delicious dish? She simply smiled and said, "That's the magic of cooking, my dear. You never know what wonderful creations you can come up with when you experiment with different flavors."

From that day on, the Chayote Salad with Lemony Hot Sauce became a staple in our family's recipe collection. Whenever we had guests over for dinner, my grandmother would proudly serve this dish and watch as their faces lit up with delight.

Over the years, I have made the Chayote Salad with Lemony Hot Sauce countless times, each time recalling the memory of that first taste and the sense of wonder it brought me. I have shared the recipe with friends and family, passing on the tradition of creating dishes that bring people together and evoke feelings of joy and satisfaction.

As I sit here now, reflecting on the journey that led me to discover the magic of cooking, I am grateful for the lessons my grandmother taught me and the love she poured into every dish she made. The Chayote Salad with Lemony Hot Sauce will always hold a special place in my heart, a reminder of the power of food to nourish not only our bodies but also our souls. And as I continue to cook and create in my own kitchen, I know that my grandmother's spirit lives on in every recipe I make.