A SAVORY PAPAYA DISH? – BELIEVE IT! – TRY A NEW RECIPE

When you think Papaya, you think fruit, sweet, desert, right? Well think again it can also be a savory dish. I was quite exited to find this recipe and couldn’t wait to try it…..
Papayas both green and ripe are used in a variety of ways in Caribbean cuisine. Green papayas is frequently used in soups and stews and as a side dish as well.
SAVORY PAPAYA
2 medium sized green Papayas
1 large green onion, chopped
1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon Chives, finely chopped
5 cloves of garlic, minced
Dash Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 egg beaten
1/4 cup flour
1 cup Gouda cheese, grated
1/2 plain bread crumbs
1 tablespoon butter

I needed to get my hands on a green papaya, all the supermarkets had ripe ones, the market… ripe ones. I bought one that seemed green but when I cut into it, it was 70% ripe.
Then when I’d just about given up and put the cookbook back on my shelf, I found green papayas at the supermarket!!!!
This is what the inside of a green papaya looks like

This is it next to the one I’d bought the week before that was now fully ripe, and no good for this recipe.
I got to work, peeling, slicing and grating. Discarding the seeds of course. The ripe fruit for snacking and smoothies. The grated green papaya for salads (wonderful with a simple french vinaigrette).

All of a sudden there were tons of papaya in the house!
I got the rest of my ingredients together and it was time to get to work.

Preparation
I boiled the green papaya in enough water to cover them for 15-20 mn until tender.
Drained well.
And mashed with a fork, the fruit retains quite a bit of water, do not drain again at this stage.
I added all the seasonings.
Let cool a bit before adding the egg and flour.
Here it is mixed and in a greased baking dish.
Top with Cheese.
Then bread crumbs.
Dot with butter.
Bake in a preheated 375F degree over for 20 minutes until golden brown.

This was my first time trying this recipe, it’s pretty easy, once you get your hands on the green papaya that is.
I have to admit I was a bit concerned about the fact that the recipe didn’t call for any salt at all, I thought it would have turned out bland, but it wasn’t at all. It was absolutely delicious.
I had mine with baked chicken but this dish would go well as side to a variety of dishes. I do hope you try it and let me know what you think.
Bon Appetit!
Lyndsey

This dish looks really good. Our neighbors are Hawwaian and keep eyeing my papaya tree, they want my green papayas. 😀 I’ve had it in a salad they’ve made. I would love to try this. It reminds me of plantains…I often buy them green to make a savory dish and if I wait too long and they get ripe…I have to make a dessert!