The Secret to Boiling Chayote So Its Color Doesn't Fade, Here's the Trick

Kapanlagi.com - Chayote is a versatile vegetable that often graces our dining tables; it turns out it's not only delicious when sautéed or used as a salad. With a tantalizing flavor and crunchy texture, chayote also holds a plethora of health benefits, ranging from maintaining heart health to helping control blood sugar levels. However, there is one problem that many people face: boiled chayote often changes color, making its appearance and taste less appealing.

But don't worry. Desyanti Lembang, a creative YouTube user, has shared an effective trick for boiling chayote to keep it bright and tasty. With a simple technique, chayote can be processed into a fresh salad perfect for enjoying with your favorite sambal and side dishes. Curious? Let's check out the complete steps summarized on Thursday, (31/10/2024).

1. Prepare the Chayote to Be Boiled

The initial step that is equally important in cooking chayote is to prepare it carefully. Desyanti chooses the baby chayote variety, which is smaller, because its compact size makes it cook quickly and taste delicious. You can peel it or leave it with the skin, depending on your preference.

However, make sure to clean it thoroughly. Cleaning the chayote under running water with a little scrubbing will remove all dirt, ensuring that the color and texture of the vegetable are preserved, and the resulting flavor is maximized.

2. Boil the Chayote for the First Time for Five Minutes

Boil water in a pot until it reaches a rolling boil over medium heat, then add the whole chayote into it and let it sit for five minutes. This method not only partially cooks the chayote but also preserves the beauty of its natural color.

After the time has passed, turn off the heat and let the chayote soak in the pot for 30 minutes. According to Desyanti, this step is crucial for achieving a tender texture without sacrificing a fresh appearance.

3. Do a Second Boil to Maximize Ripeness

After letting it sit for 30 minutes, it's time to continue by boiling the chayote again over medium heat for seven minutes. This second boiling process is crucial to ensure every part of the chayote is perfectly cooked without sacrificing its beautiful bright color.

Be careful, if the heat is too high, the chayote can lose its charm and change color quickly. So, make sure to cook it carefully and on time.

4. Let It Sit for a While to Keep the Texture Perfect

After the chayote is done boiling, immediately turn off the heat and cover the pot for a few minutes. This process gives the chayote a chance to absorb the heat perfectly without changing its texture and color.

This simple yet important technique keeps the flavor and texture of the chayote appetizing when served. Be sure to let it sit for a while until the steam subsides, as excessive boiling can make the chayote mushy and lose its enjoyment as a fresh salad.

5. Lift and Cool the Chayote Before Serving

The final step in preparing chayote is to transfer it to a container filled with cold water at room temperature. "Lift the chayote, place it in room temperature cold water," Desyanti explains in her YouTube video. This method not only halts the ripening process but also maintains the texture of the chayote to ensure it remains perfect when served.

Once cooled, the chayote is ready to be served as an enticing side dish, paired with sambal, warm rice, and your favorite side dishes. This way, the chayote will be more delicious, and its color will remain bright, far from looking pale or brown due to overboiling.

6. Questions and Answers About Chayote

7. Does chayote need to be peeled before boiling?

Chayote, a nutritious vegetable, can be prepared by boiling, either with its skin still on or without, depending on your preference. However, if you choose to boil it without peeling, be sure to wash it thoroughly to keep its flavor and freshness intact.

8. Why should chayote be soaked in cold water after boiling?

This soaking process serves as a quality keeper, stopping the ripening of chayote to keep its texture appetizing and its color bright.

9. Does chayote have health benefits?

Chayote turns out to hold many health benefits. Rich in antioxidants like myricetin, this squash not only helps maintain heart health but also plays an important role in lowering cholesterol and regulating blood sugar levels.

10. How to serve chayote as a salad?

Boil the chayote until tender, then serve it with spicy sambal, warm rice, and your favorite side dishes to create a salad that is not only appetizing but also nutritious.

(kpl/mhs)