Samoan Tropical Salad

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Summer can’t come soon enough – the heat of sun on my shoulders, the way my skin smells with sunscreen on, hot evenings under the stars. So today we’re going to Samoa.

There’ll be drippy sweetness: papaya and cantaloupe. There’ll be richness, too – buttery avocado and moody – almost bitter – spinach.

And to finish it all off? A puckering of lime juice – as bright as a Samoan seascape.

"Nu'ulopa island - Samoa" by Neil - originally posted to Flickr as Nu'ulopa. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Nu%27ulopa_island_-_Samoa.jpg#mediaviewer/File:Nu%27ulopa_island_-_Samoa.jpg

“Nu’ulopa island – Samoa” by Neil.

 

Typically known for rich, coconut milk-laden recipes, this Samoan salad is a healthier twist on island fare. The version I based mine on even won a Samoan recipe challenge!

Tropical Fruit

I chose this salad for sentimental reasons – something to set the scene a bit for the release of my new book Life from Scratch: A Memoir of Food, Family, and ForgivenessI went to Samoa 2 months before I was born (as a real life stowaway, I suppose). Scientists believe our taste preferences can be affected by what our mother’s ate while we were gestating. I like to think I carry a bit of Samoa with me today.

Samoan Fruit Salad

It was an odd beginning, I suppose – being swept halfway around the world before ever being born.

But it’s all I know.

When you read my story, you’ll understand why it’s walks the line of bitter-sweet.
Just like this salad.

Samoan Fruit Salad
Votes: 4
Rating: 5
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Rate this recipe!
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Servings
6 people
Servings
6 people
Samoan Fruit Salad
Votes: 4
Rating: 5
You:
Rate this recipe!
Print Recipe
Servings
6 people
Servings
6 people
Ingredients
  • 5 ounces baby spinach
  • 1 papaya (small)
  • 1-2 avocado
  • 1 canteloupe (small)
  • 1-2 limes (for dressing, to taste)
Servings: people
Units:
Instructions
  1. Add the spinach to 2 large platters or one large bowl. Slice the papaya in half, then remove seeds. Cut in strips, removing skin, and layer on salad. Do the same with the avocado and cantaloupe. Dress with a few squeezes of fresh lime juice (and serve with extra lime slices on the side). Enjoy!

2 Comments

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  2. Pingback: Noon Café | Polynesian Adventure ~ Tuvalu Tuna, Samoan Tropical Salad, and ‘Otai

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