Papaya is a tropical fruit rich in vitamin A and lycopene. It is popular in sweet and savory sauces for desserts, meats, and seafood. It pairs well with other tropical fruits and can be used as a marinade or dipping sauce.
A papaya is an elongated tropical fruit with a green shell and red or pink flesh. Rich in vitamin A and lycopene, this fruit is extremely popular in summer cooking, especially in sauces for hot appetizers. Papayas are naturally sweet, so they work well with other sweet ingredients — like honey and other fruits — though their tartness helps them marry with tangy, acidic flavors. Different types of papaya sauce work well on light pies, ice cream, chicken, pork, and fish. The recipe a cook chooses largely depends on what he intends to serve.
Some of the most popular papaya sauce recipes are sweet and sugary. Many cooks like to peel, seed and dice their papayas in preparation for blending with other tropical fruits. Pineapples, mangoes and coconuts generally taste good in combination with papaya. Blueberries and bananas are also delicious pairings. A papaya sauce for dessert could be a blend of coconut milk, blueberries, strawberries, and a touch of honey and cinnamon. A simpler sauce might leave out everything but the honey and papaya, and the honey should thicken and slightly sweeten the papaya, bringing out the flavors.
This sweet sauce can be served on waffles, pancakes, pound cakes or shortcakes. Others may enjoy it over vanilla or strawberry ice cream. Cooks might even add this sauce to parfaits and smoothies. A parfait constructed with alternating layers of papaya sauce, vanilla yogurt, almonds, and several tropical fruits might be delicious. A smoothie with a dash of this sauce could also be refreshing and nourishing.
Many cooks like to combine fruit and protein. Papaya sauce often pairs especially well with pork, chicken, fish, and shellfish. The light flavors of these meats complement the sweetness of the papaya. The acids in the fruit also help keep the meats tender and succulent. A sauce for meat might be sweet, as above, or lean more towards the savory side of the spectrum. For a more savory version, a cook might chop up tomatillos, hot peppers, and onions to simmer along with chunks of papaya. Another combination might include garlic, agave nectar, chives, and chopped pineapple.
Some cooks use papaya sauce as a marinade, while others use it only to add to meat or fish. It can also make a tasty dipping sauce for coconut shrimp. Those looking to add extra flavor to grilled items can brush papaya sauce over the meat as it cooks, or combine the sauce and meat together in foil-wrapped pouches.
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