Picadillo de Chayote

​Picadillos are pack with veggies and super easy to make

Picadillo translate to chopped so basically, picadillos are cooked chopped vegetables. There are so many recipes and variations using all kind of vegetable and protein combinations. In Costa Rica they are a very common side dish. 
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The picadillo de chayote, is one of the most popular ones, I guess it is because of its sweet flavor and and because it is so quick and easy to make. Another popular one, and my personal favorite it is the potatoes picadillo, I have a great recipe for this picadillo en my book. 
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This is one of my go to recipes during weekdays because it is such a light side dish, very nutritional and I goes very well with any kind of protein. 

 For this recipe I prefer to use the light green chayotes instead of the dark ones. They have a nicer flavor.

Picadillo de Chayote 
Serving size: 4

Ingredients: 
3 chayotes tiernos (the light green ones)
1 cup sweet corn 
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup chopped red pepper
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
3 minced garlic cloves
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp fresh oregano leaves

In a medium-size pot heat up a little bit of olive oil. Add the onion, red pepper, celery, cilantro and garlic to the pot, and cook over medium heat for a few minutes, until the onion is translucent.
Meanwhile, chop the chayotes into 1/2 inch squares. Add the chayote, corn, water, salt, pepper and oregano leaves and mix well.
​Cover and cook for 20 min or until the chayote is soft. Don't forget to mix a couple of times while is cooking.