Stuffed Mirliton

by 

Appears in Treme: Stories and Recipes from the Heart of New Orleans by Lolis Eric Elie. Read our review.

Yield: 8 main course servings or 16 appetizer servings

Ingredients:

8 medium mirlitons (chayotes) (about 4½ pounds total weight) 

Stuffing:
3/4 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined 
1 tsp. Basic Creole Seasoning Blend (found in cookbook)
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper 
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus about 5 tablespoons 
1 yellow onion, chopped 
2 celery stalks with leaves, finely diced 
1/4 large green bell pepper, seeded and chopped 
1/4 cup minced fresh flat-leaf parsley 
3 tbsp. finely chopped green onions, white and tender green parts 
2+1/2 tbsp. finely chopped garlic 
½ cup very fine dried bread crumbs, plus about 5 tablespoons 
1 tsp. salt 
1/2 tsp.freshly ground pepper 
1 large egg, lightly beaten 

Method:
  1. Put the mirlitons in a 3-gallon pot, or two large stockpots, and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover the pot(s) and continue boiling, just until the mirlitons are fork tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
  2. Remove from the heat and, using a slotted spoon, immediately transfer the mirlitons to a colander to drain and cool. Once cool enough to handle, place the mirlitons on a cutting board or other flat surface. Cut them in half lengthwise. With a paring knife, shallowly trim away any spiny or blemished spots from the skin, and tough pulp from the end nearest to the seed. Remove and discard the seed and use a small spoon to carefully remove the pulp from the inside of each half, leaving a ¼- to ½-inch-thick shell. Drain the mirliton pulp in a colander, lightly squeezing it to release excess moisture, then chop the pulp. Set aside the pulp and shells.
  3. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

To make the stuffing:

  1. Season the shrimp with the Creole seasoning and cayenne, mixing well. Set aside. In a heavy 5-quart saucepan or large Dutch oven over low heat, melt the ½ cup of butter. Add the onions and cook until they start to soften, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the celery, bell pepper, parsley, green onions, and garlic, and cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add the reserved mirliton pulp and cook for 6 minutes.
  2. Put 1/2 cup of the bread crumbs into a small bowl. Once the mirliton pulp mixture has cooked for 6 minutes, add 2 tablespoons of the reserved bread crumbs, mixing thoroughly, then continue adding 2 tablespoons at a time until you have added all of them, stirring thoroughly between additions. Cook the mixture over low heat, until it is noticeably dryer but still moist, about 3 minutes, stirring as needed.
  3. Next, add the seasoned shrimp, salt and pepper. Continue cooking until the shrimp turn pink, about 1 minute more, stirring almost constantly. Remove from the heat and stir in the egg, blending well.
  4. Mound the stuffing in the 16 mirliton shells, using it all. Place the stuffed shells in a baking pan, such as a 12-by-17-inch baking pan, that will hold the shells in a single layer touching each other lightly to help support their shapes as they cook. Sprinkle about 1 teaspoon more bread crumbs evenly over the top of each stuffed shell and center a scant 1 teaspoon butter on the top of each. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the hot oven for 10 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking until the tops are browned, about 1 hour more. Serve at once.

Note: To make ahead, prepare through the point of stuffing up to 1 day in advance. Cover the stuffed mirlitons tightly and refrigerate. Bake as directed when ready to serve.