Ginisang sayote is a quick and simple vegetable dish made with pear squash, shrimp, tomatoes, and oyster sauce. It’s nutritious, delicious, and budget-friendly, too. Pair it with steamed rice and grilled meat for a hearty and filling meal!
Chayote, locally known as sayote, is an edible plant from the gourd family. It’s technically a fruit but is eaten like a vegetable.
This pear-shaped squash is widely used in many cuisines, from Asia to the Americas. It’s also a popular ingredient in Filipino cooking and is prepared in various ways, such as soups or stir-fries.
One of my favorite ways to cook it is ginisang sayote. Not only is it delicious and nutritious, but it’s also easy to make and economical.
It cooks in minutes yet is full of comfort food flavors and good-for-you nutrients you’ll feel good serving the whole family. Plus, it’s low-calorie, clocking in it at less than 100 kcal per serving!
Ingredient notes
- Tomatoes, onions, and garlic– the holy trinity of Filipino ginisa
- Sayote– the fruit has a sticky resin that can irritate the skin. Use gloves when peeling and cutting. Or slice off the top of the sayote and rub on the cut part of the chayote in a circular motion for about 30 seconds. The transparent sap/liquid will turn into a white, foam-like consistency. This process will remove the stickiness of the squash.
- Shrimp– I like to use large shrimp and chop them up to give the appearance of “plenty” but using less.
- Oyster sauce– seasons the dish along with salt and pepper. Adds a touch of sweetness and umami flavor.
How to keep shrimp tender
The shrimp takes longer to cook than the sayote and it tends to get tough and rubbery by the time the latter is tender. You can keep them from overcooking in two ways.
- Remove from the pan after sauteing and return back to the pan during the last 4 to 5 minutes of cook time when the sayote is just about done.
- Or, use hot water like in the recipe to speed up cook time.
How to serve and store
- Ginisang sayote makes a delicious and filling vegetable dish for lunch or dinner. Enjoy it on its own or pair it with steamed rice and fried fish or grilled meat.
- Store leftovers in a container with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for up to 3 days. This dish doesn’t freeze well as the chayote turns mushy when frozen and thawed.
For variety, try my Ginisang Sayote with Chicken version!
More vegetable recipes
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 1 onion peeled and chopped, peeled and chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- 2 Roma tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 pound large shrimp, peeled, deveined and cut into 3 to 4 pieces
- 1 cup hot water
- 2 tablespoons oyster sauce
- 4 sayote, peeled, cored, quartered and sliced on a bias
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a wide pan over medium heat, heat oil. Add onions and garlic and cook until softened.
- Add tomato and cook, mashing with the back of a spoon, until softened and release juice.
- Add shrimp and cook just until the color changes to pink.
- Add water and oyster sauce. Stir to disperse and bring to a boil.
- Add sayote. Lower heat, cover, and simmer for about 8 to 10 minutes o0r until tender yet crisp.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.
Notes
- Remove from the pan after sauteing and return back to the pan during the last 4 to 5 minutes of cook time when the sayote is just about done.
- Or, use hot water like in the recipe to speed up cook time.
Nutrition Information
“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
Stephanie says
I’ll be cooking this tonight!
Always checking your blog every time I need to cook a filipino dish. Thanks for making it easy for me especially that I need to cook for hubby . His mom is a great cook and so I’m trying to keep up with that! Happy holidays from Texas ♥️
Rhessa Vashti says
Your recipes are great.. Keep it up.
Rhessa Vasti says
Your recipes are great. keep it up.
Jane says
Hi Lalaine do you have any advice how to prevent the macaroons from sticking to the liners? Tried twice but same issue, although the taste isgreat
AS says
Is there anyway I can make this completely vegetarian without sacrificing the taste?
Lalaine says
You can use vegeatvle broth instead of water 🙂
julie says
i love sayote,i used to make this with repolyo instead of chayote.i’ll try this one tomorrow.thank you.
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Lalaine says
Hi Julie, please post “desktop” on the actual giveaway post. I use a plug in for giveaways and it draws from the comments. That’s why I don’t answer the comments on giveaway posts so it won’t count mine. 🙂
Liz says
thank you, i have’nt done much cooking, especially veggies, i’m definitely going to try this.