You've still got a little time to book a trip to the greatest food city in the universe for next weekend's celebration of the mirliton!
What's that? You've never heard of this pear-shaped veggie that also acts a little like a fruit? That's probably because it's called other names in other parts of the country: chayote or cactus pear are a couple also-known-as monikers that hang on this strange-looking beast.
But the folks in the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans will tell you there's no better mirliton than one that grows in their yards. That's why for the past 23 years, they've celebrated this feat by feeding folks who wanted to come on by the Bywater. Oh, and because it's New Orleans, there's also plenty of music and booze, too.
This might not be as well known as the over-the-top Mardi Gras season festivals and parades and all-around shenanigans, but it sure does sound like a lot of fun.
To get the full skinny on the mirliton, check out a presentation on the Southern Foodways Alliance Okracasts on iTunes. Click on the Symposium lineup from 2011 and look for Sara Roahen's entertaining talk called The Mirliton Gets Its Due. You can download the discussion for free. A plane ticket to NOLA? Well, that's going to run you some dough. But, heck yes, it's so worth it!
-- Leslie Kelly
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