Chayote has a neutral flavor and therefore combines with all foods, being great for health because it is rich in fiber and water, helping to improve intestinal transit, deflate the belly and improve the skin.
In addition, chayote contains few calories and is an excellent option to contribute to weight loss, in which case it can be used in a vegetable cream at dinner time or it can be cooked with herbs to be used in a salad for example.
Thus, the main health benefits of chayote are:
- Improves skin health because it is rich in vitamin C which has antioxidant action; It fights constipation because it is rich in fibers and water that form the fecal cake; It is good for diabetes because it is a low glycemic index food due to its fiber content; It helps you lose weight because it contains few calories and virtually no fat; It helps to stop bleeding from wounds because it contains vitamin K which is important for the healing of blood vessels; It is good for the kidneys because as it is rich in water it improves urine production and has a diuretic action.
Another benefit of chayote is that it is good for hydrating bedridden people who have difficulty swallowing water because they choke. In this case, just cook the chayote and offer the pieces to the person.
Chayote recipes
Sauteed chayote
Ingredients:
- 2 medium chayote 1 onion3 garlic cloves1 leek stalkOlive oilFor seasoning: salt, pepper, oregano to taste
How to make:
Peel and grate the chayote using the coarse grater. Cut the onion into thin slices and sauté with oil and garlic in a high-frying pan. When these are golden brown add the grated chayote and spices to taste. Leave on the fire for about 5 to 10 minutes.
Chayote gratin
Ingredients:
- 3 medium chuchus1 / 3 cup grated cheese for the dough1 / 2 cup of milk200 ml of sour cream3 eggsFor seasoning salt, black pepper, parsley to tasteMozzarella cheese to brown
How to make:
Cut the chayote into small pieces and set aside. Blend all other ingredients in a blender until it forms a homogeneous cream and mix everything. Place everything on a baking sheet greased with butter or margarine and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake in the hot oven for about 30 minutes. Make sure the chayote is soft and when it reaches this point the meal is ready.
Nutritional information
Information on the amount of chayote nutrients is in the following table:
| Quantity in 170g (1 medium chayote) | |
| Calories | 40 calories |
| Fibers | 1 g |
| Vitamin K | 294 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 8.7 g |
| Lipids | 0.8 g |
| Carotenoid | 7.99 mcg |
| Vitamin C | 13.6 mg |
| Calcium | 22.1 mg |
| Potassium | 49.3 mg |
| Magnesium | 20.4 mg |
| Sodium | 1.7 mg |
A curiosity about chayote is that it is often used as the icing on the cake. In this case it is added in the form of small balls in a cherry syrup, so that it absorbs its flavor and can be used more economically as a substitute for the cherry.
