It’s just as important to be frugal in times of plenty as it is in times of hardship. As my mom likes to say “Waste not, want not.” In the Solomon Islands, when Papaya trees hang heavy with more fruit than locals know what to do with, they don’t let it rot and fall to the ground. They don’t let the monsoons sweep the fruit away, either. Oh, no. Instead, they make use of the papaya at every stage of growth… ripe or unripe… which is how PawPaw Curry makes its way onto the dinner table. While the sweet flesh of ripe papaya is grand (perhaps baked with sweet coconut cream?), pawpaw curry is made with the mild, firm flesh of an unripe papaya. Serve with rice.
| Servings | Prep Time |
| 4 people | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time |
| 15 minutes |
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It’s just as important to be frugal in times of plenty as it is in times of hardship. As my mom likes to say “Waste not, want not.” In the Solomon Islands, when Papaya trees hang heavy with more fruit than locals know what to do with, they don’t let it rot and fall to the ground. They don’t let the monsoons sweep the fruit away, either. Oh, no. Instead, they make use of the papaya at every stage of growth… ripe or unripe… which is how PawPaw Curry makes its way onto the dinner table. While the sweet flesh of ripe papaya is grand (perhaps baked with sweet coconut cream?), pawpaw curry is made with the mild, firm flesh of an unripe papaya. Serve with rice.
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Ingredients
- 2 lbs green papaya (unripe) – about 6 cups cubed
- vegetable oil
- 1 small onions , chopped
- 2 cloves garlic , crushed
- 1-2 Thai bird chili peppers , for heat (optional)
- 1 Tbsp curry powder
- 13.5 oz coconut milk
- salt
Servings: people
Units:
Instructions
- Holding the papaya on the narrow end, slice off the skin (be sure to leave a bit at the top unpeeled, so you can grip it without slipping). Then, slice the papaya in half and scoop out the seeds. Cube it up.
- In a large pan over medium heat, add the oil, onion, garlic and, if using, the Thai bird chili. The chili can be slit with a knife to release some heat or sliced into rings for lots of heat. They can also be completely omitted for a mild curry. Either way, cook until the onion is soft.
- Add the curry powder, papaya, coconut milk, and salt. Cover and simmer until the papaya is tender (this is to taste – mine took about 15 minutes). Enjoy with a heaping bowl of rice.
Recipe Notes
NOTE: Pregnant women are advised not to eat green papaya.