a bit overgrown chayotes (chocos) for planting :)

Tatiana from Glenfield

Hi all,
I have a few chayotes (or chocos) that have already started to sprout... it would be sad to let them go to waste. If anyone wants to grow them, I'm happy to share! Life has just begun in them, but I already have four vines, so I won’t be able to plant more.

It’s a vigorous vine that can reach up to 20 m in length, but its green stems and leaves die off every winter. The following year, they wake up again. They are prolific croppers and can feed an entire family—maybe even a neighbourhood! Every part of the plant is edible: the roots, stems (great for stir-fries), flowers (a lovely addition to salads), and the fruits, which can be picked, fried, stuffed, baked in the oven, and more. Bees love their flowers too!

To grow them, just half-bury the fruit in the soil near a fence or trellis. They start off humble, but even in the first year you’ll get some fruit. By the second year, you’ll see their full power!
The only thing they do not like is being waterlogged. They can tolerate other things (like poor soil and dry summer). They get to power closer to autumn, and keep producing even till mid winter.

PS: Just to share one particular way to stir fry them (and, oh goodness, they are tasty!)
Take 3 chayotes, chop them into small pieces (do not grate for this purpose, as they will release too much juice). Fry on high temperature using a bit of olive or other cooking oil. Add couple of medium sized onions (chopped) a bit later. Then a pinch of garlic, some herbs of your choice (I use dried herbs - celery and leek greens, plus some other when I feel like that). When they half ready, add table spoon of lemon juice (or 1/2 tbs according to your preference) and a use moderate amount of fish souse instead of salt. When mostly ready - dress lightly with sesame oil to add some more flavour. :) This one is my family’s favourite now.

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