MIRLITON CASSEROLE WITH SHRIMP RECIPES

Steps:

• Bring 8 cups water and 2 tablespoons salt to a boil in a large saucepan over high. Reduce heat to low. Add mirlitons; cover and cook until tender, about 30 minutes. Fill a large bowl with ice water. Transfer mirlitons to ice water; let cool 5 minutes. Peel mirlitons; remove seeds. Chop mirlitons, and set aside.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Melt butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high. Add andouille; cook until browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove andouille; set aside. Reduce heat to low. Add mirlitons, onion, bell pepper, celery, Creole seasoning, garlic, and bay leaves. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture is very tender, about 25 minutes. Discard bay leaves. Stir in torn bread; cook, stirring constantly, until butter is absorbed, about 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in andouille, shrimp, scallions, stock, pepper, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Spoon into a 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Drizzle with additional melted butter, if desired; sprinkle with cheese. Bake in preheated oven until browned, about 20 minutes. 

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add mirliton, and boil until tender, about 45 minutes. Drain, cool, and peel. Cut in half, remove seeds, and cut into cubes.
• When the mirliton are almost done, bring another pot of water to a boil. Add shrimp, and cook for about 5 minutes, until pink. Drain shrimp, reserving the water for later. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry onion and garlic in the oil until soft. Transfer to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Add the shrimp, ham, and cubed mirliton. Beat the egg in a small dish with a tablespoon of the water from the shrimp; pour into the baking dish. Mix in the bread crumbs, parsley, thyme, salt and pepper until evenly blended. If it seems a little dry, add a little more water from the shrimp. You have the choice to freeze, refrigerate, or bake at this point. Sprinkle some more breadcrumbs on top if desired.
• Bake for 1 hour and 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until golden brown on top.