Mirlitons Farcis Aux Crevettes Chayotes Stuffed With Shrimp Food

SHRIMP-STUFFED MIRLITONS

Steps:

• 1. Boil whole mirlitons in water until tender, about 40 minutes. Drain mirlitons in a colander and let stand until cool enough to handle. Split the mirlitons in half lengthwise, remove the seeds, and scoop the pulp into a bowl. Using a potato masher or fork, mash the mirliton pulp.
• 2. In a skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter over medium-high heat. Saute onions, celery bell pepper, garlic, half the parsley, and the green onions. Cook 3 minutes. Add 4 more tablespoons butter and the shrimp. Saute just until shrimp turn pink. Add ham.
• 3. Add the mashed mirliton pulp to the skillet and stir until heated through. Add the bread to the mixture and stir to blend. Slowly pour the eggs into the skillet while stirring quickly. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in remaining parsley.
• 4.Spoon mirliton mixture into a baking dish. Sprinkle with bread crumbs or cracker crumbs and dot with remaining butter. bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes or until dish is set and nicely browned.

MIRLITONS FARCIS AUX CREVETTES (CHAYOTES STUFFED WITH SHRIMP)

Steps:

• Split chayotes lengthwise in half. Put in kettle of cold water and add salt to taste. Bring to boil and simmer about 10 minutes. Do not overcook or vegetables will become mushy. Drain and run briefly under cold water. Drain again.
• Using spoon or melon-ball cutter, scoop out flesh and seeds of each half, leaving shell of about eighth of an inch thick or slightly thicker. Set the shells aside. Chop flesh and seeds fine. There should be about one cup. Set aside.
• Peel and devein shrimp and chop coarsely. There should be about one and a quarter cups. Set aside.
• When ready to cook, preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Heat half the butter in saucepan and add onion and garlic. Cook, stirring, until wilted. Sprinkle with flour and stir to distribute evenly. Add milk, stirring rapidly with wire whisk.
• When sauce is thickened and smooth, add chopped pulp. Bring to boil, stirring, and add ginger and scallions.
• Remove from heat and stir in egg yolk. Let stand to room temperature. Stir in shrimp, salt pepper, quarter cup of bread crumbs and parsley.
• Use mixture to stuff chayote halves. Pile up and smooth over.
• Blend remaining quarter cup of bread crumbs and cheese. Sprinkle tops with mixture, patting to help it adhere. Dot with remaining two tablespoons of butter.
• Arrange stuffed halves in a lightly buttered baking dish and place in oven. Bake 20 minutes.

SHRIMP STUFFED MIRLITONS (NOLA CUISINE)

Steps:

• Cut the Mirlitons in half lengthwise, remove the seeds.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil, season with salt as you would pasta water. Add a few Bay leaves and a bundle of fresh Thyme. When the water comes to a boil add the mirliton halves, and simmer for 45 minutes, or until tender. Cool.
• When the mirlitons are cool scoop out most of the pulp, leaving a shell about 1/2 inch thick. Dry the shells by patting with a paper towel. Reserve 1/2 of the the pulp and drain on paper towels, as they hold a lot of water. When dry, chop.
• In a large cast iron skillet melt the unsalted butter over medium heat, when hot add the andouille. Cook stirring often until slightly browned.
• Add the onion, celery and bell pepper and the creole seasoning, cook for 8- 10 minutes stirring often until the onions start to carmelize and the vegetables are soft.
• Add the garlic, Mirliton flesh and Thyme, cook for 2 minutes more.
• Add the shrimp and green onions and cook until the shrimp turn pink.
• Add 1/2 Cup water (or Shrimp Stock if you have any on hand) and 1 Cup of the bread crumbs. Stir until the mixture comes together. More bread crumbs or water may be needed. The mixture should be thick, yet moist, and it should hold together. Season to taste with salt, pepper and cayenne.
• In a small bowl, combine the ingredients for the topping.
• Divide the stuffing amongst the 4 mirliton shells and cover with the topping. Place into a 350 degrees oven until hot and the topping is golden brown. Serve immediately.

SEAFOOD-STUFFED MIRLITON/CHAYOTE

Steps:

• Steam or boil the mirlitons until the flesh is just tender -- try not to overcook or the shell will fall apart. (Seven minutes in the microwave, 10 minutes in salted boiling water on the stovetop.) Cool slightly and scoop out the flesh, leaving a 1/4-inch shell. Set the flesh aside.
• Saute the onion, garlic, celery and parsley in the butter and olive oil over medium-low heat for about 20 minutes until very tender, adding chicken broth if the vegetables become dry and begin to stick. Add the squash and mash with a potato masher. Cook until squash liquid evaporates.
• Stir in the shrimp and crabmeat and cook until most shrimp are pink, about 2 minutes. Add enough bread crumbs to absorb any liquid in the mixture. Fill the mirliton shells with the mixture. Sprinkle with additional crumbs and dot generously with butter.
• Bake at 350 degrees for about 20 minutes until topping is crisp and golden.

SHRIMP STUFFED MIRLITONS (CHAYOTE OR VEGETABLE PEARS)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350F.
• Parboil mirlitons/chayote/vegetable pears until almost tender.
• Cut in half and scoop out the meat; mash and set aside, reserving shells.
• Saute onion and garlic in shortening until translucent; add celery and cook until tender.
• Add mashed mirlitons, shrimp, 1/2 of the cheese, and salt and pepper to the sauteed vegetables.
• Fill the reserved shells, cover with remaining cheese and bread crumbs.
• Bake until crumbs have browned, approximately 30 minutes.