Have you tried chayote squash before? If you haven’t, I encourage you to give it a try! The squash is a little crunchy like a cucumber, but once it is cooked it is juicy and succulent. The squash is also very mild in flavor so it will take on any flavors you add to your dish. What I like to do with chayote squash is making a simple soup. Chayote squash is generally available in the grocery stores from early fall to late winter. So there is still a chance in getting chayote squash in the grocery stores or farmers markets now.

What you’ll need to make this Asian-style soup is very simple: Chayote squash, ginger, shiitake mushrooms, chicken or vegetable broth, and a little bit of rice.

Chayote Squash Soup with Shiitake Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 2 to 3 ginger slices
• 1 chayote squash, about 12 oz., peel and cut into large cubes
• 3 to 4 dried shiitake mushrooms
• 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 cups water
• 1/4 cup long grain or jasmine rice
• Sliced scallions , optional

Method:

1. Rehydrate the dried shiitake mushrooms by soaking the mushrooms in cold water for 2 hours or until soft. Alternatively, in a microwavable container, soak the mushrooms in hot water and microwave for 2 to 3 minutes. When the shiitake mushrooms have rehydrated, cut them into thick slices.
2. Put the rice in a fine sieve. Run it under water for about a minute to clean the rice.
3. Heat the oil over medium-low heat for 30 to 45 seconds. Add the ginger slices and let the ginger infuse the oil for a minute.
4. Turn the heat up to medium-high. Add the choyote squash and shiitake mushrooms. Satué for 2 minutes and lightly season it with salt.
5. Add the broth, water and rice. Bring to a boil, then season with salt. Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 25 minutes or until the rice is cooked.
6. Serve hot and garnish with scallions.

This recipe serves two to three and can be doubled.

If you like this soup, you may also like this Napa Cabbage and Tofu Soup.

Are you a soup fan? Come check out my other soup recipes on YouTube.

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