Watch: How to Prepare Chayote

Sure, Chayote is an unual-looking fruit (it’s wrinkled and furrowed and is often covered with tiny spines that feel like fine hairs!), but its mild flavor makes it a bit of a culinary blank slate; the Mexican fruit can be thinly sliced and put into salads raw, or cut into sections or cubes to be puréed, sautéed, boiled, steamed or baked. It’s often marinated, or prepared with a variety of spices to provide a fuller flavor.

Check out the video below for tips on choosing the right fruit, and what to do with it when you get it home!