Traditional Pawpaw Salad is a traditional Cook Islands recipe for a classic salad of julienned under-ripe pappaw (papaya) with lettuce, onion and mint in a dressing made from pawpaw seeds. The full recipe is presented here and I hope you enjoy this classic Cook Islands version of: Traditional Pawpaw Salad.
(click this button to prevent the screen from sleeping so Cook Mode is 'ON')
Ingredients:
One under-ripe pawpaw sliced julienne
Lettuce leaves (or watercress) sliced into ribbons
Red onion sliced in rings
Sprig of mint, bruised and tossed with other ingredients
For the Pawpaw seeds dressing
1 Tablespoon pawpaw seeds
250ml oil
125ml vinegar or lemon juice
1 tbsp finely-chopped onion
1 tbsp sugar or honey
½ tsp dry mustard powder or chilli powder
Method:
Remove the seeds from the papaya, reserving 1 tbsp for the sauce. Discard the remainder then peel the pawpaw before julienning.
For the pawpaw seed dressing, combine all the ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth and creamy.
In a bowl, toss together the julienned pawpaw, lettuce (or watercress), red onion rings and mint.
Dress with the pawpaw seed dressing, chilli in the refrigerator for an hour then serve.
