2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Chayote / Sechium edule / is a tropical climbing plant of the Pumpkin family / Cucurbitaceae /. It is also known as chuchu and Mexican cucumber. Chayote is gaining popularity mainly because of its fruits, which have the shape of pears, but taste more like pumpkin. It originates from Mexico. But today it grows in many places in South America, Asia and Africa.
Chayote is actually a perennial plant and can grow up to 7-8 years, as long as it is grown in a suitable tropical climate. The plant has a thick root. If the species is cultivated, stems sprout from it, which in turn have non-thick branches. Its vines can crawl up to 10-12 meters in height. Tea leaves are green, with pointed tips. Their width can reach 20-30 centimeters. The length too. The young petals are covered with hairs on both sides, but as they get older, the formations on one side fall off.
Chayote blooms from April to December and bears fruit from September to January. Its fruits are fleshy, reaching a length of 4 to 26 centimeters. Their width varies between 3 and 11 centimeters. The fruits are colored green, and in different cultivated forms the color saturation may vary. They can be covered with thorns, which are relatively soft and easy to remove. The flesh of the tea is whitish. In wild varieties it is sour. However, this is not noticeable in cultivated forms, where any taste is often absent. There is a large seed in the fruit.
History of tea
The history of this exotic plant begins in Mexico. In the beginning it was found only in the wild, but over time it was noticed and cultivated by the local Aztecs. There is evidence that its fruits were used by the Maya. Little by little, tea began to gain popularity and quickly spread to Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and others. In the end, the inhabitants of the other continents get acquainted with the curious fruit. Data from Raphael Saade show that the plant Sechium edule was first described in 1756. The description of the species was made by Patrick Brownie on the island of Jamaica.
Selection and storage of tea
The tea It is not very common in Bulgaria, but we cannot fail to mention that it is also found on the domestic market. If you have decided to try this exotic fruit, which is used in cooking as a vegetable, you should pay attention to a few details when choosing it. You need to touch the tea to make sure it is not soft.
Fresh fruits are firm and smooth. Pay attention to whether there are any injuries on the surface, because such fruits should be avoided. Be careful not to come across old specimens. You will recognize them by their wrinkled and dry appearance. Otherwise, the tea can be stored for a long time. Keep refrigerated. It can be kept like this for several months.
Composition of tea
As part of tea hide a bunch of useful substances. It contains alanine, arginine, aspartic acid, valine, glutamic acid, glycine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, proline and others. In its composition the exotic also hides phosphorus, zinc, manganese, copper, selenium, magnesium, iron. It is a source of vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin K.
Cooking tea
Chayote has wide use in Mexican cuisine. The flesh is used after it is released from the skin. It can be added raw in salads or subjected to heat treatment. Used in fried baked and cooked dishes. Suitable for filling. It is also used to make snacks and purees. In some places it is canned. Most products of this type do not have a strong characteristic taste, so the tea can be flavored with all kinds of sauces and spices.
For those of you who like to experiment with exotic foods, we offer a salad recipe with tea.
Necessary products: 300 g tea, 5 tablespoons tomato paste, 3 carrots, 2 green onions, 3 tablespoons canned corn, 1 dill, 1 parsley, olive oil, 2 cloves garlic, vinegar, soy sauce, salt and black pepper - to taste
Method of preparation:
The tea and the carrots are cleaned and cut into large pieces. Fry in fat and a little soy sauce for 3-4 minutes, then transfer to a bowl. Add the tomato puree and corn. Add the chopped onion, dill and parsley, as well as the crushed garlic. Season the salad with the remaining spices and stir.
Benefits of tea
Although tea does not shine with special taste qualities, it is very useful for eating. It has been proven that the consumption of this fruit has an excellent effect on our body, as it contains many useful substances. It is believed that it has the ability to prevent the development of cardiovascular and bone diseases. Its intake leads to normalization of blood pressure. According to experts, tea also protects against some cancers. At the same time, eating the Mexican miracle strengthens the immune system and recharges the body with energy. It also takes care of the health and beauty of the skin.
