When life hands you a chayote...

Yesterday, my husband headed off to the grocery store with a list in hand... one of the items on the list? two avocados...

This is what he came home with...

After asking him to check the receipt, we determined he'd actually purchased "Squash Chayo" - our grocery store's lingo for Chayote Squash.

I quickly googled chayote squash and the first recipe that I clicked on sounded pretty easy. We both thought it was delicious! I only used one of the two chayotes, so we'll have a repeat side dish sometime later this week. It took less than 10 minutes, including chopping time. That's my kind of side dish!



Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil 1 clove garlic, minced 1 chayote squash, cut into 1/2-inch strips 1/2 teaspoon salt ground black pepper to taste 1/2 teaspoon white sugar 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

Directions
Heat olive oil in medium skillet over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add garlic, squash, salt, pepper, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Stir together and cook 2 to 3 minutes.
Add vinegar to the squash mixture and cook 2 to 3 minutes longer, until the squash is slightly wilted, but still firm and crunchy. Taste, and add more salt or sugar if needed.

I think I added more red pepper flakes than the recipe called for {we like things spicy around here!} so it had a definite kick to it. After cooking for a total of six minutes, it still had a lot of crunch to it.

I still don't have my avocados, but we learned something new... when the hubby brings home a Chayote, make it into a side dish!!