How to Use and Preserve Unripe Green Pawpaws/ Papaya

Preparing Green Pawpaw for cooking and blanching

Green pawpaw collected after cutting down excess trees.

Quartered pawpaw seeds were scooped out with a soup spoon.

Using Green Pawpaws

Please note that this discussion is about pawpaw, also known as papaya. It must be differentiated from Asimina triloba, which can be dangerous if consumed while unripe. Green pawpaws contain papain, which can help with protein digestion and is also used in alternative medicine. However, handle them carefully and wash your hands thoroughly after handling, as papain can cause skin irritation. To prepare the fruit, wash, peel, and remove the seeds with a soup spoon. We suggest dicing and blanching the pawpaw for two minutes to eliminate latex. Afterwards, drain off any excess fluid with a colander. These chopped pieces can then be seasoned and used in salads, stews, or as a substitute for carrots. Alternatively, they also complement chicken, fish, pork, beef, or other protein options for a low-carbohydrate diet. Furthermore, their satiating nature can help prevent constipation. However, this benefit occurs with both ripe and unripe pawpaws.

Green pawpaw pickles

In addition, you may preserve your green pawpaws as pickles. Prepare them in vinegar with rosemary, thyme, chilli, and fresh garlic – the same pickle mix used for grape leaves. Add them to your store-bought pickle brine if it hasn’t expired when you finish your gherkins, onions, or other pickles you buy. Keep your glass mayonnaise and pickle bottles. Wash them with soap and warm water, then store them for future use. Conversely, avoid plastic containers as they may contain harmful chemicals. The pickles will be ready in a couple of weeks when they absorb the pickle flavours and soften, but they can still be eaten right after being made.

Preparing blanched green pawpaw pickles an salads.

Diced pawpaw pieces — Draining blanched green pawpaw pieces

Pickled green pawpaw in recycled bottles — Pickled green pawpaw in recycled mayonnaise and pickle bottles. Boiling the bottles in hot water before use prolong the shelf life of the pickles. (Do not reuse old pickle brine after its expiry date).

Seasoned blanched diced green pawpaw pieces for salads or carbohydrate substitute.

Green Pawpaw in Groundnut Sauce

If you have unripe papayas, don’t let them go to waste. Consider making a delicious dish, cook the green fruit in groundnut sauce with bicarbonate of soda, onions, garlic, and chilli. The papaya becomes translucent and soft while the groundnuts are cooked. This dish can be refrigerated or frozen without losing its flavour and tastes even better after cooling. Add your desired seasoning and enjoy the sweet and salty taste with soft papaya pieces and a hint of Chikanda flavour.

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