What the heck is a Chayote?
The chayote (rhymes with "coyote" is a light-green, crinkly-ended relative of the zucchini squash. It's also sometimes called the "Mirliton". It has a light, fresh flavor and texture, quite different from its squash relatives, and is excellent baked, raw in salads, or as an addition to soups or stews, as in the following recipe.

Chayote Chowder
2 T butter
4 chayote squash, peeled, seeded, cubed
2 med. onions, chopped
2 jalapeno peppers, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 c flour
4 c chicken stock
2 c corn kernels
2 c chopped green chile
2 c milk
1/2 t salt
1 t cumin
1/2 t chile powder
2 T lime juice
Grated cheddar cheese and crumbled cooked
bacon for garnish