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Mirliton Shrimp Dressing

Mirliton Shrimp Dressing combines the mild flavors of mirliton with Gulf Shrimp and Creole seasonings with bread stuffing.  
Prep Time45 mins
Cook Time1 hr 10 mins
Total Time1 hr 55 mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Creole
Keyword: chayote and shrimp dressing, chayote dressing, mirliton and shrimp dressing, mirliton dressing
Servings: 12 Servings
Calories: 180kcal
Author: Sweet Daddy D

Here's What You Need

  • 2 tablespoons bacon grease See notes
  • 2 cups yellow onions rough chop
  • 1 cup bell peppers rough chop
  • 5 cloves garlic rough chop
  • 4 cups chopped mirliton about 8 mirlitons
  • 1 cup tomatoes peeled and chopped
  • 1 pound medium shrimp chopped
  • 3 cups bread for stuffing
  • ½ cup chicken stock if necessary-See Notes

Herb and Spice Blend

  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 teaspoon basil
  • ½ teaspoon thyme
  • 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Here's What You Do

Preparation:

  • Slice mirlitons in half lengthwise and remove the seed with a spoon
  • Place the mirliton halves in a stockpot of boiling water and boil for about 30 minutes until the mirlitons are tender when probed with a fork.
  • Remove the mirlitons to a bowl and allow them to cool.
  • In the same boiling water, parboil the tomato for about 1 minute and remove to an ice bath to stop the cooking. Once cooled, remove the skin and give the tomato a rough chop
  • Once the mirlitons have cooled, use a vegetable peeler to remove the mirliton skin and give it a rough chop (see Notes)
  • Give the shrimp a rough chop and place them in a bowl.
  • Season the shrimp with creole seasoning and set aside.
  • Rough chop the onion, bell pepper and garlic.
  • Measure the remaining ingredients
  • Prepare a 9” X 13” baking dish by coating with butter, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Make the Dressing:

  • Melt the bacon grease in a large frying pan over medium-high heat
  • Add the onions and bell peppers and saute for about 8 minutes until the onions start to clear.
  • Add the garlic and about ½ of the Herb and Spice Blend, stir for about 2 minutes until aromatic.
  • Mix in the chopped mirliton until well combined with the other ingredients.
  • Continuing over medium-high heat, use a potato masher or a wooden spoon to mash the larger pieces.
  • Saute for about 5 minutes
  • Add the chopped shrimp and stir it together.
  • Add about ½ of the remaining Herb and Spice Blend
  • Add the chopped tomatoes, stir everything together and simmer for another 5 minutes.
  • At this point, there should be some liquid in the pan as a result of the simmering.
  • Add the bread pieces and stir to thoroughly combine all the ingredients. (see Notes)
  • Remove the pan from the heat, cover and let sit about 10 minutes.
  • Pour the dressing into the 9 X 13 prepared baking dish.
  • Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until firm and golden brown on top.

Notes

Once the mirlitons are soft, it is easy to peel them using a vegetables peeler, but you can also scoop out the pulp with a sponn. It is OK to get some skin mixed in with the pulp as the skin is also very soft after boiling for 30 minutes and will not be a problem.
You can use some bacon grease you've saved or fry a few pieces of bacon for the grease. If you fry bacon, save it, chop it and add back to the dressing when you add the shrimp. Butter or olive oil can be substituted for the bacon grease.
Only if  the dressing is looking very dry should you add in some of the chicken stock, but it likely will not need any,

Nutrition

Calories: 180kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 98mg | Sodium: 748mg | Potassium: 241mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 822IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 91mg | Iron: 2mg

This recipe came from First...You Have a Beer (www.firstyouhaveabeer.com). If you like it, please leave a 5 star rating and a comment on the site and, most importantly, SHARE it with your friends.