Papaya Recipes- There's no denying the fact that papaya is one of the most nutritious fruits. This bright orange fruit is a regular at most of our breakfast tables. Not just the sweet fruit but its leaves, seeds and flowers have are also used widely for culinary and therapeutic purposes. In her article 'The Miraculous Power of Papaya Flower', food writer Hoihnu Hazel shares, "This vivid memory of my late maternal grandmother comes to mind each time I think of papaya flower. What prompted her to pluck those flowers was a belief that consuming them in the form of a vegetable would help bring down her insulin level."
Papaya's nutritional profile is amazing as it is loaded with most essential minerals and micronutrients important for your body. It is an instant energy booster, is good for digestive ailments and has anti-inflammatory properties. Papaya is full of with antioxidants which help in fighting cell-damaging, cancer-causing free radicals. It is good for the heart, boosts immunity and keeps a check on arthritis. The consumption of raw papaya has long been associated with inducing menstruation and normalizing irregular periods. Papaya when rubbed on the skin on a regular basis helps reduce pigmentation and boost skin tone. Papaya leaves are commonly used as a natural remedy to counter dengue.
Papayas are easily available and are used in both forms, raw and ripe. While the raw fruit goes into making a variety of delectable preparations - from curries, halwas, dips and accompaniments to kebabs and pakoras among other preparations. Sweet and ripe papayas are often included in deserts, accompaniments, shakes and smoothies. Papaya is also often used to tenderize meat.
If you are inspired enough but are not sure of where to start from, our 13 best recipes will give you a lead. Head this way please.
1. Singzu (Manipuri raw papaya salad)
Ingredients
1 whole raw papaya (medium size, preferably less than half a kg)
2 Tbsp Sesame seeds
2-3 green or red chilies
Fermented dry fish or simply sun-dried fish
Salt to taste
A handful of coriander leaves to garnish
Method
1. Peel the papaya and wash under a running tap
2. Carefully, shred in small pieces. Keep aside
3. Roast the chillis and fermented fish and mash them together to make a paste
4. Add salt. Roast sesame seeds and make a paste when its done
5. Mix all the ingredients in a plate, garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve
2. Raw Papaya Cubes
Jaggery, coconut and a good helping of papayas come together to create this guilt-free dessert.
3. Raw Papaya Kebabs with Aloo Bhukhara Chutney
Experience the brilliant pairing of shredded potatoes and papayas worked into delicate kebabs with zingy plum chutney atop.
4. Grilled Peach and Papaya Salad with Amaranth Granola
A delightful and healthy salad perfect for a quick brunch. Relish this salad packed with the goodness of peach and papaya, topped with amaranth granola pieces. A perfect, quick pot meal.
Grilled Peach and Papaya Salad with Amaranth Granola is a healthy, one pot meal to prepare for a quick brunch.
5. Santula
Another Oriya special, this savoury curry is cooked with the goodness of papayas, potatoes and brinjal, doused in milk and indigenous spices.
6. Dalma
Straight from the local kitchens of Odisha comes this easy-to-cook preparation. Split chickpeas are cooked along with potatoes, papaya and a host of spices.
A quick and easy lunch meal.
7. Papite ka Halwa
A delectable Indian dessert whipped by combining papaya with walnuts, ghee and cardamom.This can be a delicious Indian dessert to serve at a party.
8. Coconut and Watermelon Ice-Cream with a Papaya Sauce
Exciting flavours of watermelon and coconut are teamed and topped with a lip-smacking papaya sauce.
9. Som Tam (Papaya Salad)
Presenting the iconic Thai raw papaya salad spiked with the flavours of roasted peanuts, lime juice, palm sugar, cherry tomatoes and garlic.
10. Papaya Badam Barfi
The traditional barfi gets a fruity punch. Papayas are teamed with khoya, sugar and aromatics to be rolled into delicious barfis.
11. Hawaiin Papaya Salad
A healthy and fresh Hawaiin Papaya salad for the monsoon season! Papayas are an excellent source of the powerful antioxidants vitamin C and vitamin A which makes this salad dish the perfect recipe to have all your vitamins in a delicious way!
On a bed of sliced pineapple, this papaya salad packs the goodness of coconut and watermelon as well.12. Badam Papite Ke Kebab
A delicious and healthy snack option to make at home with few easy steps. A guilt-free kebab recipe to relish with friends and family.
13. Raw Papaya Kebabs
Raw papaya and potatoes are shredded and worked into delicate kebabs. These are teamed with delectable plum chutney laced with star anise and black pepper.
