Chayote (Sechium edule) is a pale green, pear-shaped squash native to Mesoamerica, with a mild flavor and a crisp, watery texture similar to a cucumber or a young summer squash. It is a staple in Mexican, Central American, and Caribbean cooking, added to stews, soups, and salads or stuffed and baked, and it also appears in stir-fries and curries in parts of Asia. Unlike most squash, chayote has a single edible seed, and the flesh, skin, and seed can all be eaten once peeled and any tough surface spines are removed.