This item
Chayote
- Pear or fist shape
- Distinct deep fold at the base
- Pale- to medium-green skin
Vegetables
Chayote
A pale-green pear-shaped squash with a characteristic deep fold near the base.
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3 identity clues
- Pear or fist shape
- Distinct deep fold at the base
- Pale- to medium-green skin
Names in other languages
- 繁體中文
- 合掌瓜
- English
- Chayote
- Bahasa Indonesia
- Labu Siam / Chayote (合掌瓜)
- Tagalog
- Sayote / Chayote (合掌瓜)
Name in Cantonese (Jyutping): hap6 zoeng2 gwaa1 No Cantonese voice on this device
What is it?
Chayote is 合掌瓜 in common Hong Kong usage; FEHD also lists 佛手瓜. It is labu siam in Indonesian and sayote in Tagalog.
How to identify it
Look for a pale- to medium-green pear or fist shape, a deep folded base, and skin that may be smooth or lightly wrinkled.
Common confusion
Compare
Zucchini
- Smooth slightly glossy skin
- Straight cylindrical form
- Pale flesh with small soft seeds
How to identify it
Chayote is pear-shaped with a deep fold; zucchini is straighter and wax gourd is much larger.
Common Hong Kong household uses
Commonly sliced for stir-fries, soup or braises.
Choosing & preparing
Wash under running water, peel if required, cut open and remove the central hard seed.
Storage
Keep dry and unwashed in the refrigerator crisper and use soon.
Helper tip
Use the pear shape and deep base fold; zucchini is straighter and wax gourd is much larger.
What Ma’am or Sir may say
買兩個合掌瓜煲湯，要實淨。The employer wants two firm chayotes suitable for soup.
Useful market phrase
唔該要兩個實淨合掌瓜。Meaning: Two firm Chayote, please.
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