Merlitons

[BlueCat]

Does anyone know if there is a substitute for a merliton? Are they anythining like any of the other pears I see in the store? I've never seen one in the produce department, and I'd like to try a crown roast recipe I saw on the Food Network site, made with merliton stuffing.

Thanks,
BC

[kitchenelf]

I see chayotes quite often BlueCat - but if you can't find them

Substitutes: zucchini (stonger flavor, cooks more quickly) OR kohlrabi OR other summer squash OR carrots OR bell peppers (for stuffing).

If you do find chayotes/merlitons be sure and peel them but seeds can remain in as they are edible.

[Psiguyy]

As Elf said, merletons are more like squash than pears.

[kitchenelf]

Forgot to mention pattypans too.

[BlueCat]

Thanks, everyone. I may have seen chayotes before, but I've never heard of pattypans. I may have to rethink this recipe, however, because I'm not a huge fan of squash - it's only bearly tolerable. I am a huge fan of pears though, and thought that would make an interesting stuffing ingredient for a crown roast.

BC

[Claire]

As everyone said already, merlitons aren't even remotely close to pears. Only relationship is the shape. In fact, I find merlitons/chayote rather tasteless. But the underlying answer can be ... if you love pears, and want to try them in a stuffing, why not go for it? I love pears and apples in savory salads; and fruit is a traditional accompaniment to pork or game. Live dangerously and let us know what happens!!

[kitchenelf]

Claire, you said exactly what I was going to say. Pears sound absolutely wonderful to use in your stuffing!!! So go for it!!!! You can also get some pear nectar or pear juice and make your gravy with it.

[Bangbang]

I had to look this up. I have never had them.




Mirlitons, also called "vegetable pear" or "chayote squash", grow wild in Louisiana. If you have a mirliton plant in your backyard, you'll end up besieging all of your family and friends to help take some of the mirlitons off your hands; they produce copious quantities. Mirlitons have a very mild flavor, but when combined with shrimp and ham they come to life. Locally pronouced something along the lines of <MEL-lee-tawns>.

[norgeskog]

they are also called chayote. Emeril uses them a lot, check the food network on his site. He uses them raw and cooked. Do not know if there is a substitute, would not think a pear would work as a pear is sweet and the merliton is very bland and definately not sweet. It does have a seed, but I would use it as a vegetable.

EDIT: I should have read this thread before I posted.

[cantcook]

If you are stuffing them there is no substitute. A good crawfish eggplant stuffing in a mirliton will make you slap somebody!