Mirliton (Mirleton) Vegetable Pear Casserole

The vegetable used to make this dish has several spellings and wordings. They are as seen above: Mirleton – Mirliton – Vegetable Pear – Chayote The chayote is a more or less pear-shaped member of the gourd family. Several varieties of chayote exist, but the commonly available one has thick apple-green skin and generally weighs 1/2 to 1 pound. Its crisp flesh is mild in flavor, falling somewhere between cucumber and summer squash. Though the chayote can be prepared many ways, it is always cooked, never eaten raw. The chayote can be steamed or boiled. It can also be sliced or diced and it can be sautéed or roasted or pickled (see the recipe on site).

Ingredients

• 5 - 6 mirlitons, parboiled until barely tender
• 1 medium onions chopped
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound ground pork, pork sausage or Jimmy Dean sausage
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/4 tsp red pepper, optional
• 1/2 cup celery, chopped
• 1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped
• 2 tbsp roux for flavor
• 2 tbsp oil or butter for browning
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese

Directions