Chayote: Fruit, Shoots, Leaves and Root Are Edible

Chayote / Sayote — ฟักแม้ว (fak-maeo) — Sechium edule.

Most people cook the chayote fruit and toss the rest, but the young shoots — ฟักแม้ว, fak-maeo — plus the leaves and starchy root are edible too. You mostly eat the fruit, which is mild, watery, and low in calories. Chayote root extract was tested against blood-pressure markers in animals. The fruit contains vitamin C and folate. Your body uses vitamin C to build collagen, the protein that holds skin together, and it also supports normal immune function and works as an antioxidant that protects your cells. Folate supports normal cell division and blood formation, which matters most before and during pregnancy. Pad Yod Fak Maeo throws the shoots into a hot wok with garlic, bird's eye chili, and oyster sauce, served hot with jasmine rice. Yam Yod Fak Maeo tosses the blanched shoots with shrimp, squid, roasted peanuts, and a spicy, sour lime dressing, served beside fried fish. You usually cook the chayote fruit before eating. To grow your own, lay a whole sprouted fruit on its side and half-bury it.

Stir-Fried Chayote Shoots — ผัดยอดฟักแม้ว (pad-yod-fak-maew)
Spicy Chayote Shoot Salad — ยำยอดฟักแม้ว (yum-yod-fak-maew)

Food and nutrients

Rich in: vitamin C, folate

Research context

Chayote extract was tested against blood-pressure markers in rats — Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2014

Sources

Source: Lombardo-Earl G et al. (2014). Antihypertensive activity of Sechium edule roots. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2014:594326. DOI:10.1155/2014/594326 (PMID 24812568)

Narration transcript

Opening

Most people cook the pear-shaped chayote fruit and toss the rest — but the vine's young shoots, leaves, and fat starchy root are all edible too. Chayote — ฟักแม้ว, fak-maeo — gives you a mild, watery fruit you cook before eating, plus tender shoots stir-fried in a hot wok with garlic.

Stir-Fried Chayote Shoots (Pad Yod Fak Maew) (ผัดยอดฟักแม้ว)

For pad yod fak maew, these chayote shoots hit a hot wok with garlic, bird's eye chili, and oyster sauce, stir-fried fast and served hot with jasmine rice.

Spicy Chayote Shoot Salad (Yum Yod Fak Maew) (ยำยอดฟักแม้ว)

Yum yod fak maew is a spicy chayote-shoot salad that blanches the shoots, then tosses them with shrimp, squid, roasted peanuts, and a sour, spicy lime dressing, served beside fried fish.

Nutrition summary

Chayote is mild and low-calorie, and its clearest contribution is folate, with modest vitamin C and manganese alongside.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is used to build collagen and helps protect cells from oxidative stress.

Folate

Folate supports normal cell division and blood formation, and plays an especially important role before and during pregnancy.

Closing

Peeling a raw chayote leaves a sticky sap that can make your skin feel tight, so peel it under running water or wear gloves. To grow your own, lay a whole sprouted fruit on its side and half-bury it — the shoot climbs from there. Follow Longevity Biome, and LIKE this video for regular updates.

Related playlists