Mirlitons are part of Louisiana’s heritage — and they’re easy to grow at home

By: OLIVIA MCCLURE LSU AgCenter Like a lot of people who grew up in Louisiana, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Jason Stagg has fond memories of eating casseroles and other dishes his mother prepared using mirlitons — a unique squash that has been grown in the state for generations. Mirlitons (Sicyos edulis or Sechium edule) — also known as vegetable pears and alligator pears — are a pear-shaped s…