XUXU AND SHRIMP WITH CHILE AND LEMON

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Xuxu and Shrimp with Chile and Lemon image

Crisp chayote goes by a raft of different names, but its Brazilian one, _xuxu_, was the inspiration for this quick stir-fry. The dish's vivid good looks echo its primal shout of flavor. After the shrimp, _xuxu_, and hearts of palm are cooked, they're tossed with a raw sauce of garlic, onion, jalapeño, and lots of lemon juice, which keeps everything sparkling and very fresh-tasting.

Provided by Andrea Albin

Time 40m

Yield Makes 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

6 garlic cloves
3/4 cup chopped white onion
2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh jalapeño, including seeds
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
3 medium xuxu (chayote; about 1 3/4 pound total)
1 1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4 cup olive oil, divided
1 (14-ounces) jar or can hearts of palm, rinsed well, patted dry, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1/3 cup chopped cilantro

Steps:

  • With motor running, drop garlic into a food processor and finely chop. Stop processor and add onion, jalapeño (to taste), lemon juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt, then pulse until finely chopped.
  • Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes for flavors to develop.
  • Peel xuxu if skin is tough. Cut xuxu off pit in slices, then cut into 1/4-inch-thick matchsticks.
  • Toss shrimp with 1 teaspoon salt. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Sauté shrimp until just cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
  • Sauté xuxu in remaining tablespoon oil in skillet until crisp-tender, about 3 minutes.
  • Return shrimp to skillet, then add hearts of palm and sauté until just heated through. Remove from heat and stir in chile-lemon sauce and cilantro.

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