Chayotli is a Nahuatl word meaning Spiny Gourd. English uses the Spanish word Chayote to name this species, Sechium edule. It is also known as mirliton (Louisiana and Haiti), chuchu (Brazil), and chocho (Jamaica).
This gourd evolved in Mesoamerica and was spread throughout the world by the Europeans. Like many other squashs it may be eaten raw or cooked and there are myraid recipes for its use. It is high in vitamin c.
The photograph above was taken at a market in Panama.