chayote

American  

[chahy-oh-tee] / tʃaɪˈoʊ ti /

noun

1. a tropical American vine, Sechium edule, of the gourd family, having triangular leaves and small, white flowers.

2. the green or white, furrowed, usually pear-shaped, edible fruit of this plant.

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chayote British  

/ tʃaɪˈəʊtɪ, tʃɑːˈjəʊteɪ /

noun

1. a tropical American cucurbitaceous climbing plant, Sechium edule, that has edible pear-shaped fruit enclosing a single enormous seed

2. the fruit of this plant, which is cooked and eaten as a vegetable

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Usage

What does chayote mean? Chayote is a light green, pear-shaped, squash-like fruit popular in Central American cuisine.

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Etymology

Origin of chayote

1885–90, < Mexican Spanish < Nahuatl chayohtli

Example Sentences

The 11 ingredients in the book — beans, calabaza, cassava, chayote, coconut, cornmeal, okra, plantains, rice, salted cod and scotch bonnet peppers — are all inherently Caribbean ingredients.

From Salon • Sep. 30, 2024

For instance, the green, pear-shaped squash called güisquil — also known as chayote — is native to Mesoamerica and commonly boiled and used in soups or stews.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 25, 2024

The more adventurous options feature salmon poised on black lentils seasoned with garam masala and chicken plied with chayote slaw and mole sauce sweetened with white grapes.

From Washington Post • Jan. 24, 2023

Short and stout pattypan are as cute as buttons; slender, two-toned zephyrs look like their bottoms have been dipped in green dye; pale green chayote could be mistaken for pears at first glance.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 13, 2021

Each piece of pork is draped over a chunk of chayote, which provides much of the crisp freshness that would be supplied by cucumber if this were a sushi bar.

From New York Times • Oct. 27, 2020