A Vegan Guide To Cooking With Papaya

Papaya 

The papaya is a healthy (and delicious) tropical plant that’s native to Central America and is currently the third most cultivated tropical crop, worldwide. Papaya fruits have a gene pool of genetic variability which is why there are many natural variations in existence throughout the Americas. As the fruit steadily made its way across the globe, green papaya became a prominent feature in many Southeast Asian cuisines.  

Fun fact – even though the papaya plant might look somewhat like a tree, it’s scientifically a herb that can reach up to 30 feet tall!

Papaya health benefits

Papaya fruit is full to the brim with antioxidants that can help reduce inflammation, fight diseases and help keep you looking young by fighting free-radical cell damage. The fruit is also believed to improve heart health because of its high vitamin C and lycopene content too. 

How to cut a papaya

What better way is there to show you how to cut papaya than through a video? Check out this tutorial from Vegan Crush to see how it’s done! 

Vegan papaya recipes

Now the exciting bit, great vegan recipes to make your freshly learnt papaya cutting skills.

Vegan Tinola 

This veganised Filipino staple is a savoury ginger-based broth soup, filled with sauteed oyster mushrooms, green papaya and nutritious chilli pepper leaves.

Tom sum

Photo credits: Minimalist Baker

This recipe from the Minimalist Baker makes a tasty and fresh green papaya salad, which is also known as tom sum and is a popular dish in Thailand. 

Vegan papaya ice cream

Photo credits: Sprouting Zen

What better way to use fresh, tropical papaya than in a smooth and creamy ice cream? This four-ingredient recipe from Sprouting Zen is refined oil and refined sugar-free. Could this be the way to eat ice cream for breakfast? We think so.

Papaya lime bars

Photo credits: Rainbow Nourishments

This decadent looking dessert from Rainbow Nourishments is guaranteed to impress anyone who meets it! These vegan papaya lime bars have a nutty base, creamy lime filling and are topped with sweet fresh ribbons of papaya.

All that’s left to do is decide which to make first!