Chilacayote is a type of pumpkin that originates from Latin America, mainly Mexico and the Andean region in South America. Chilacayote is also known as chilaca. In the Mexica culture it comes from Nahuatl,  tzilacayotli: “tzilac”, means smooth, and “ayotli”, is pumpkin. That is to say: smooth pumpkin.

 

It is round and has a different size, but it is also a cucurbit. From this plant, the flowers, young stems and fruits are used to make regional sweets.

 

The seeds are eaten whole, roasted, roasted or ground; They are the essential ingredient for the preparation of pipián and green mole, among other stews.

 

It is considered a food that contains a large amount of vitamin A, C and iron. In the Andean zone, it is constituted as a completely organic fruit.