Vegetable Stuffed Chayote

Halve Chayote lengthwise. Place halves in enough cold salted water to cover. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes or until tender. Drain. When cool enough to handle, remove seed. Scoop out and reserve pulp to within 1/4 inch of skin. Invert shells; set aside to drain. Chop pulp, drain. If necessary, squeeze pulp between paper towels to remove excess liquid. Set aside. Meanwhile, for stuffing, in a large skillet cook mushrooms, sweet pepper, onion and garlic in hot margarine till tender but not brown. Remove from heat. Stir in Chayote pulp, toasted bread crumbs, 1/3 cup of the parmesan cheese, eggs, cilantro, salt and pepper. Dissolve the bouillon granules in the water; stir into stuffing. Spoon stuffing into Chayote shells. Place shells in a 2 quart square baking dish. Cover and bake in a 350ºF. oven about 25 minutes or till heated through. Sprinkle with remaining parmesan cheese. Bake for 3 to 5 minutes more till cheese melts. Makes 4 servings. * To toast bread crumbs, spread them in a single layer in a shallow baking pan. Bake in a 350ºF. oven about 8 minutes or till toasted. NOTES : Chayote (chaw-YOTE-ee) is a pear shaped squash with a moist pulp that taste like a cross between an apple and a cucumber. Look for small, firm, unblemished chayotes and store them in a plastic bag in your refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Serving Size: 4