Chayote Ugly! {Cream of Chayote Soup}

Today, I feel that I have finally made my peace with Chayote. 

Years ago, I had a torrid romance with chayote.  It was during my last pregnancy.  I craved nothing but chayote.  Steamed chayote, raw chayote, fried chayote.  I didn't care how it was prepared, all I knew was that I had to have it!  My obsession with chayote grew as the months passed.

Until one day, I found myself bored with chayote.   It's taste was no longer appealing to me.  I could not bare even the sight of it.  A classic case of too much of a good thing.  Finally, I turned my back on chayote. Never again would my lips taste chayote.  I ignored it when our paths crossed at the mercado (market).  Yes, there were days that I would mourn over the happier moments of our love affair, but alas, I couldn't erase the feelings of disgust that I felt.

But fate had other plans.  This morning, chayote showed up at my doorstep. Gone were the feelings of resentment, and in its place were feelings of hope.  I knew immediately what I wanted to do with chayote.  I wanted to savor it, breathe it in and simply revel in its deliciousness. 

My recipe for Crema de Chayote (Cream of Chayote) was the perfect reconciliation.

Crema de Chayote

(Cream of Chayote Soup)

Ingredients:

• 2 Chayotes, peeled and chopped
• 1/4 cup onion
• 1 sprig Cilantro
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups milk

Directions:

In a medium saucepan, heat the chayote, the onion, the cilantro and the chicken broth over medium heat until chayote is tender.

Let chayote cool 5 to 10 minutes.  Pour the cooked ingredients into a blender cup.  Puree until smooth; set aside.

In the same saucepan, melt the butter.  Add flour and mix well.  Let cook for 1 minute.

Gradually add the milk.  Whisk until well combined.  Season with salt and pepper.

Cook until milk mixture thickens slightly.  Add chayote puree.  Stir until well combined.  Cook over medium heat 5 minutes.

Enjoy!!!

With Love,

Leslie Limon