Louisiana is a fun-filled place in all seasons with more than 400 festivals held each year. That equates to eight a weekend, or more than one for every city, town, or village in the state. Fall, in particular, seems to have celebrations virtually every weekend; it’s when the city’s party season really takes off.
One such annual festival – on November 9 – celebrates the mirliton, NOLA’s favorite vegetable – pronounced mel-a-tonn – by most locals. A member of the squash family, its technical name is chayote, and it is native to Central and South America. So what’s the big deal? As I told you, the city will find any excuse to party…
The mirliton is a pear-shaped, wrinkled light-green vegetable that grows on a vine. The fruit has been a staple on creole menus and family tables in NOLA for ages. Mirlitons are very healthy food in themselves – if not especially brimming with taste – but when mixed with other foods, whether as entrees or desserts, or as a main course stuffed with seafood and breadcrumbs or with meat and spices, they really come into their own.
The Mirliton Festival, now in its 24th year, began as something of a joke. Longtime resident Mary Cooper was among the founders. She recalled that NOLA had festivals for everything, so why not mirlitons? And the event certainly succeeds in highlighting the neighborhood’s unique culture.
The festival is held in NOLA’s French quarter – specifically, the Brickyard at Chartres and Montegut streets in the Bywater. As usual, you can count on some great food being supplied by Bywater eateries as well as some popular bands. This year, there will be music from Tin Men and Meschiya Lake, to name but a few. Previous years have seen lively performances from – among others – the Cherry Bombs. No outside food or drink is allowed to be brought, likewise no pets. Otherwise, have a ball and remember that kids under the age of 12 go free!
New Orleans is a great place to visit at all times of the year but November is a particularly delightful time. If you would like to attend NOLA’s Mirliton Festival and need a ride around town, want to reach one of the events or need to get to a restaurant or hotel – we can help you. Simply give us a call at (877) 592-2226 and we will take care of the rest.