Jamaican Cho-Cho Chayote Squash | Whole Fruit

A Mild, Versatile Favorite for Caribbean Cooking

Jamaican cho-cho, also known as chayote squash, is a light-green, pear-shaped fruit with a mild flavor that pairs easily with savory ingredients. Add it to Jamaican chicken soup, simmer it in a stew, or use it in your favorite vegetable dishes.

Its subtle flavor lets herbs, spices, and broth shine. Keep a few whole fruits on hand to bring variety to everyday meals, from a comforting pot of soup to a simple cooked vegetable side.

What You Are Ordering

• Product: Whole cho-cho/chayote squash fruits, not loose seeds or established vine plants.
• Quantity options: Choose 1, 3, or 10 squash from the available sizes.
• Also known as: Chayote, cho-cho, choko, or mirliton.
• Appearance: Light-green, pear-shaped fruit; size, shape, and surface texture naturally vary.
• Flavor: Mild and adaptable to a variety of savory recipes.

Kitchen Ideas and Preparation

• Add cut pieces to Jamaican chicken soup or other broth-based soups.
• Simmer in stews and curries with your preferred seasonings.
• Steam or sauté for a simple vegetable side dish.

Rinse under running water before preparing. Peel or trim as needed for your recipe, then cut to the desired size. Refrigerate fruit intended for cooking and use while firm and in good condition. Discard fruit showing decay.

Growing Cho-Cho from Whole Fruit

Chayote can be propagated using a whole mature fruit because its seed develops inside the fruit. The quantities above refer to whole squash, not a guaranteed number of established plants. Sprouting time and successful growth vary; this listing does not promise delivery of already-sprouted fruit.

1. For sprouting, keep a sound, mature fruit in a dry, ventilated place away from direct sun. Check regularly for a developing shoot and signs of decay rather than relying on a fixed sprouting date.
2. Once a shoot is a few inches long, choose a warm, sunny outdoor location after frost danger has passed.
3. Plant shallowly in fertile, well-drained soil, leaving the upper portion of the fruit exposed rather than burying it deeply.
4. Provide a sturdy trellis or other strong support and ample room for the vigorous vine.
5. Water regularly to maintain moisture without waterlogging the soil.

Climate and Harvest Expectations

Cho-cho is frost sensitive and needs a long, warm growing season. In suitable mild climates, the vine may persist for multiple seasons. Fruiting depends on climate, season length, and growing conditions, so a harvest within a fixed number of months is not guaranteed.

Pick developing fruits while firm and suitable for your preferred recipe. Monitor vines for pests and disease, and guide growth onto the support as needed.