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YEAR ROUND FRUIT
Description:
This is a large, sweet, pear-shaped fruit with smooth, creamy flesh. There are two types of papayas, the Hawaiian variety or the Mexican variety.
Hawaiian: a variety that grows up to about one pound in weight with yellow skin, when ripe. The sweet flesh ranges in color from bright orange to pink with a small seed cluster in the center.
Mexican: a variety that can weigh up to ten pounds with green skin. The flesh has a musky taste and ranges in color from deep pink to red to orange.
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Selecting:
When selecting, look for the following depending on which variety you choose:
Hawaiian: look for fruit that is plump with yellow skin and no blemishes.
Mexican: this variety will remain green, even when ripe, and has a deep orange tint, as well, so look for nice green color and those that are slightly soft when lightly pressed. For those that have been cut open and wrapped, look for deep pink or red flesh and packages that are well wrapped.
Avoid fruit that is hard, shriveled, or mushy or appears to have dark spots.
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Storing and Handling:
When storing, ripen unripe fruit at room temperature, checking on them often. Ripe fruit should be placed in the refrigerator and can be stored for up to three days.
Preparing:
Cut in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds with a spoon. You can eat it right out of the shell or peel the skin carefully with a knife or a vegetable peeler, discard the seeds and slice or cube as desired.
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Serving Suggestions:
Salads: a sweet, addition to both vegetable and fruit salads.
Smoothies: combine with sliced bananas and some low-fat milk, rice milk or soymilk and blend into a quick and delicious smoothie.
Salsa: a great way to make a sweet flavored salsa.
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Seasonings and Foods to use with Papaya: bananas, citrus fruits, lemon, lime, melon, poultry
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