This is super Fresh green papaya salad Raw crunchy vegetables, roasted peanuts, roasted shallots and a Citrusy Lime Dressing! it is Easy to prepare, refreshingAnd plant based!
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What is papaya salad?
Originating from Southeast Asia, a dish made from papaya salad Ripe papaya. It usually features other vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers and fresh herbs and comes with a dressing made of lime, fish sauce and sugar. The result is a fresh and slightly crunchy salad with a sweet, saltyAnd Sour Dressing!
There are different versions of this salad that vary from country to country. Here, we will create one Vietnamese-inspired papaya salad.
Vietnamese vs. Thai papaya salad
Both versions of this salad are quite similar. However, unlike the Vietnamese version, Thai papaya salad (som tam) features a dressing made from long beans, tomatoes, and tamarind.
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🥜 Ingredients Notes
This salad takes less 30 minutes to prepare. Plus, no baking or cooking required! Here’s what you’ll need:
- green papaya – Make sure you use raw green papaya. It is essential for this recipe. See the note below to know how to pick a good papaya.
- the carrot
- cucumber – Prefer Persian cucumber. If using other types of cucumbers, I recommend peeling them as their skin can be bitter.
- garlic – Fresh garlic for pungent taste.
- pepper – For spicy. If you’re not used to spicy food, I recommend starting with a ¼ Thai chili (also called a bird’s eye chili).
- fish sauce – Use vegan fish sauce. If you don’t have vegetarian fish sauce, you can use soy sauce. The taste will be different, but it is still a good option.
- the lime – To add freshness.
- sugar – To balance saltiness and sourness. I used light brown sugar, but you can use palm sugar, coconut sugar, or regular granulated sugar.
- fresh vegetables – Vietnamese papaya salad often features Thai basil, mint, and/or Vietnamese coriander (also called laksa leaves).
- peanuts – Roasted peanuts bring some crunch and a nutty flavor. Feel free to use roasted cashews if you don’t have peanuts on hand.
- Fried shallots – Optional, fried shallots add an extra layer of texture. You can also use fried onions.
How to pick a good green papaya?
Try to find green papaya with it smooth skin and a firm ground. It should feel quite heavy. Most green papayas weigh at least 2 pounds. Note: Since some ripe papayas can appear green, I recommend checking the store to see if it is actually unripe.
🥣 How to make papaya salad
This recipe is simple and easy to make Just 3 steps: Prepare and chop the vegetables, make the dressing and toss everything together.
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Paper green papaya
- Peel the papaya and soak it. After peeling the papaya and removing the seeds, soak it in a large bowl for about 15 minutes. This will help remove the white latex material.
- It’s great in thin strips. Use a food processor fitted with a vegetable grater or grating disc to grate the papaya into long, thin strips.
- Soak the julienned papaya in ice cold water for 10 minutes. Drain and squeeze with your hands to remove excess water.
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dressing
Next comes the dressing Citrus, sweetand a little spicy, thanks for adding the pepper. To prepare the dressing:
- Prepare the ingredients. Finely mince the garlic and pepper, and squeeze a lime. Alternatively, you can grind the garlic and chilies in a mortar and pestle.
- Add everything to a bowl. Minced garlic, chilli, fish sauce, sugar and lime juice.
- Stir to combine. Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Finally, toss the vegetables with the dressing, top with crushed peanuts, and serve with roasted shallots!
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📔 Tips
- Change it to your liking: Feel free to add extra veggies, fried tofu, bell pepper strips or even scented oyster mushrooms for a more colorful and filling salad!
- When using frozen green papaya: Let it thaw on the counter for about 1 hour before rinsing and squeezing with your hands to remove as much water as possible.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it safe to eat green papaya salad during pregnancy? Papaya salad is not recommended during pregnancy. The latex in green papaya can be harmful and cause contractions. I recommend asking your doctor for more advice on this.
- Where can I buy green papaya? You should be able to find green papaya at Asian markets or supermarkets.
- How does green papaya taste?? Green, unripe papaya has a very neutral flavor. It doesn’t taste much on its own and has basically no sweetness. But it’s a great vehicle for flavor.
- Can I use ripe papaya instead of green papaya? Unfortunately, it won’t work. Although it will still taste good, the salad will be much sweeter and not as crisp.
- Can I make this salad in advance? This salad will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours. You can refrigerate the salad for up to 2 days and toss with the dressing just before serving.
- Can I freeze this papaya salad? This salad tastes best fresh, I don’t recommend freezing it.
If you are looking for one lively And crunchy Salad with a great balance of sweet, sour, salty and spicy, you will love this green papaya salad! Plus, it’s oil and mayo-free!
🇻🇳 More Vietnamese-inspired recipes
Let me know in the comments if you try this recipe!
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📖 Recipe
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Green Papaya Salad (Vietnamese-inspired!)
Fresh Vietnamese-style salad packed with vegetables, roasted peanuts and served with lime dressing. Delicious, healthy, and light!
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instructions
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Make the papaya: Peel the papaya and cut it in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and discard. Soak the papaya in cold water for about 15 minutes to remove the latex.
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Using a vegetable grater or food processor fitted with a grating disc, grate the papaya into thin and long strips. Transfer to a bowl of ice-cold water and let it sit for 10 minutes. Drain and squeeze with your hands to remove excess moisture. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
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Prepare other vegetables: Julienne the carrot (grate it into long strips) and thinly slice the cucumber. Transfer to mixing bowl.
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Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, stir together the sugar, lime juice, vegan fish sauce, garlic, and pepper.
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Combine: Add the fresh herbs, roasted peanuts, roasted shallots and dressing to the bowl and toss to coat. Serve immediately!
Comment
- Change it to your liking: Feel free to add extra veggies, fried tofu, bell pepper strips or even scented oyster mushrooms for a more colorful and filling salad!
- When using frozen green papaya: Let it thaw on the counter for about 1 hour before rinsing and squeezing with your hands to remove as much water as possible.
nutrition
Worship: 1 Serving (with dressing and toppings) | Calories: 247 kcal | Sugars: 25.2 g | Protein: 4.5 g | Fat: 14.9 g | Fiber: 3.5 g | Sugar: 13.4 g