First foods database
🍐 Chayote for babies: when and how to serve it
Can babies eat chayote? Yes, from about 6 months once it is cooked until soft. Chayote (also called christophene or cho cho) is a mild, pale green squash with a gentle, cucumber-like flavour that takes on whatever it is cooked with, which makes it an easy first vegetable.
Good source of: Folate, Vitamin C, Fibre
How to serve chayote by age
6 to 9 months
Peel the chayote (the sap can make hands tingle), remove the soft central seed, then steam or simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until a knife slides through easily. Mash or blend with a little breast milk or formula, or offer soft wedges about the size of an adult finger.
9 to 12 months
Dice cooked chayote into small soft cubes for pincer practice, or stir it through lentils, rice or a mild chicken stew where it soaks up the flavours.
12 months and up
Serve chayote sautéed in a little oil with garlic, baked in a gratin with cheese, or in curries and soups alongside the rest of the family meal.
Choking safety
Raw chayote is firm and crunchy, so always cook it until it is completely soft before offering it to a baby. Check that a piece squashes easily between your finger and thumb. Remove the seed and any tough skin.
Gagging is common and noisy while babies learn to eat. Choking is usually silent. Always stay with your baby while they eat, sitting upright. How to help a choking baby (NHS).
Good to know
- Peeling raw chayote can leave a sticky sap on your hands; peel under running water or wear gloves.
- Cook without added salt or stock cubes when cooking for your baby.
Easy ideas
- Chayote and carrot mash with a little butter
- Chayote, red lentil and coconut milk stew
- Chayote wedges baked with grated cheese
Goes well with
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Questions parents ask
Can babies eat chayote?
Can babies eat chayote? Yes, from about 6 months once it is cooked until soft. Chayote (also called christophene or cho cho) is a mild, pale green squash with a gentle, cucumber-like flavour that takes on whatever it is cooked with, which makes it an easy first vegetable.
Do you need to peel chayote for babies?
Yes, it is easiest to peel it. Older chayote skin stays tough and stringy even after cooking.
Can babies eat the chayote seed?
The soft seed is edible once cooked, but remove it for young babies so the texture stays even.
What does chayote taste like?
Very mild, like a cross between cucumber and courgette, so it mixes well with spices or tomato.
Sources
OBubba gives general information based on UK guidance. It is not medical advice and does not diagnose anything. Every baby is different. If your baby has a known allergy, severe eczema or a medical condition, speak to your doctor or health visitor before starting solids. Learn baby first aid, and in an emergency call your local emergency number (999 in the UK).