Green papaya is a versatile ingredient used in various dishes across different countries, especially in Southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands, and parts of Latin America. Its neutral flavor and crunchy texture make it a popular ingredient in salads, soups, curries, and stews. Below are some traditional ways that people cook and use green papaya in certain countries.
1. Thailand: Som Tam (Green Papaya Salad)
One of the most famous green papaya dishes is Som Tam, a vibrant and spicy salad popular in Thailand and neighboring Laos.
- Ingredients:
- Shredded green papaya
- Garlic
- Thai chilies
- Lime juice
- Fish sauce
- Palm sugar
- Roasted peanuts
- Dried shrimp
- Tomatoes
- Long beans
- Cooking Method: The ingredients are mixed together in a mortar and pestle to lightly crush and combine the flavors. The shredded green papaya is then added and tossed in the dressing until fully coated. Som Tam is typically served as a side dish with grilled meat or sticky rice.
- Taste: The salad is a blend of spicy, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors, with the crunchy texture of the green papaya.
2. Philippines: Tinola (Chicken Papaya Soup)
In the Philippines, Tinola is a comforting soup that often includes green papaya, chicken, and malunggay leaves (moringa).
- Ingredients:
- Green papaya (sliced into wedges)
- Chicken (bone-in pieces like drumsticks or thighs)
- Garlic, onion, ginger
- Fish sauce
- Water or chicken broth
- Malunggay or spinach leaves
- Cooking Method: The chicken is sautéed with garlic, onion, and ginger before being simmered in water or broth. Once the chicken is partially cooked, the green papaya slices are added, along with fish sauce to taste. The soup is simmered until the papaya is tender, and leafy greens are added at the end.
- Taste: Tinola has a mild and soothing flavor with a slightly sweet note from the papaya. The green papaya absorbs the savory broth, adding a tender yet firm texture.
3. India (Kerala): Green Papaya Thoran
In Kerala, South India, green papaya is used to make Thoran as dishes , a dry vegetable dish that is spiced and flavored with coconut.
- Ingredients:
- Green papaya (grated or finely chopped)
- Grated coconut
- Mustard seeds
- Curry leaves
- Green chilies
- Turmeric powder
- Oil (coconut or vegetable oil)
- Salt
- Cooking Method: Mustard seeds are tempered in hot oil with curry leaves and green chilies. The grated or chopped green papaya is then added along with turmeric and salt. The mixture is stir-fried until the papaya softens, and grated coconut is added towards the end.
- Taste: This dish has a mild, earthy flavor with a touch of sweetness from the coconut and a hint of heat from the chilies. It is often served with rice.
4. Myanmar: Lahpet Thoke (Green Papaya Tea Leaf Salad)
In Myanmar, green papaya is sometimes used in Lahpet Thoke, a traditional salad made with fermented tea leaves.
- Ingredients:
- Shredded green papaya
- Fermented tea leaves
- Tomatoes
- Garlic
- Fried peanuts
- Dried shrimp
- Lime juice
- Fish sauce or shrimp paste
- Cooking Method: The shredded papaya is mixed with the tea leaves, tomatoes, garlic, peanuts, and shrimp. The salad is then dressed with lime juice and fish sauce. It is tossed thoroughly to blend all the flavors.
- Taste: This dish is unique due to the tangy and slightly bitter taste of the fermented tea leaves, balanced with the crunchy texture of the green papaya and peanuts.
5. Indonesia: Sayur Lodeh (Green Papaya in Coconut Curry)
In Indonesia, green papaya is commonly used in Sayur Lodeh as dishes , a vegetable curry cooked in coconut milk.
- Ingredients:
- Green papaya (cubed)
- Coconut milk
- Garlic, shallots, ginger
- Chili paste
- Lemongrass
- Bay leaves
- Tofu or tempeh (optional)
- Cooking Method: A spice paste is made from garlic, shallots, ginger, and chilies, and sautéed with lemongrass and bay leaves. Coconut milk is added, followed by green papaya and other vegetables like eggplant or carrots. The mixture is simmered until the vegetables are tender.
- Taste: The curry is rich, creamy, and aromatic, with the green papaya adding a mild sweetness and soft texture that complements the richness of the coconut milk.
6. Vietnam: Gỏi Đu Đủ (Vietnamese Green Papaya Salad)
Similar to Thailand’s Som Tam, Gỏi Đu Đủ is a popular green papaya salad in Vietnam, often served with shrimp or beef jerky.
- Ingredients:
- Shredded green papaya
- Fish sauce
- Lime juice
- Sugar
- Chili
- Garlic
- Roasted peanuts
- Beef jerky or shrimp (optional)
- Cooking Method: The papaya is shredded and mixed with a dressing made from fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, garlic, and chili. It is then topped with roasted peanuts and optionally served with dried beef jerky or shrimp.
- Taste: The salad has a balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors, with a refreshing crunch from the green papaya.
7. Jamaica: Green Papaya Stew
In Jamaica, green papaya is often cooked in savory stews as dishes.
- Ingredients:
- Green papaya (cut into chunks)
- Onion, garlic, and thyme
- Scotch bonnet pepper
- Tomatoes
- Coconut milk
- Salt and pepper
- Cooking Method: The papaya is added to a stew base of sautéed onions, garlic, tomatoes, and Scotch bonnet pepper. Coconut milk is poured in, and the mixture is simmered until the papaya becomes tender.
- Taste: The stew is rich and spicy, with the green papaya softening as it absorbs the flavors of the stew, while still maintaining a slight firmness.
8. Sri Lanka: Green Papaya Curry
In Sri Lanka, green papaya curry is a popular dish, often cooked in a spiced coconut gravy.
- Ingredients:
- Green papaya (cubed)
- Coconut milk
- Curry powder
- Turmeric
- Mustard seeds
- Garlic, onion, and ginger
- Green chilies
- Cooking Method: The papaya is simmered in a curry made from mustard seeds, onions, garlic, and ginger, along with coconut milk and curry powder. It is cooked until the papaya becomes tender, absorbing the flavors of the spices.
- Taste: This dish is creamy, mildly spiced, and slightly sweet from the papaya.
Conclusion
Green papaya is a versatile ingredient used across cultures to create refreshing salads, hearty soups, stews, and curries. Each country brings its unique flavors and cooking methods to the table, showcasing the adaptability of this fruit. Whether you’re enjoying a spicy Som Tam salad in Thailand, a comforting Tinola soup in the Philippines, or a creamy Sri Lankan curry, green papaya adds a delightful crunch and a wealth of nutritional benefits to the dish.
