Green papaya is just the younger, unripe version of the orange fleshed variety that you are probably used to.

Unless you have a good Thai or South East Asian supplier nearby, a green papaya is not going to be easy to come by. But hey, in this modern world of online shopping, hardly anything is impossible to get your hands on. Right?Even Amazon stocks it!

Green papaya has a dark green skin with a very, very pale flesh. It is crunchy and very, very bland! Papaya is known as the “power fruit” as it is used as a universal remedy for many health disorders and diseases. It contains beneficial enzymes and has a high antioxidant content. It strengthens the immune system, helps the digestive system and protects against free radicals.

Green papaya are most often used in savory dishes, as they have little of the tropical sweetness associated with ripe Hawaiian or Mexican papaya. Grated into salads it has a crunchy, cucumber-like texture and mild flavor. To prepare, cut in half; remove seeds. Remove skin with a vegetable peeler or paring knife. To store, chill only when ripe. Serve within a day or two or its fragile flavor will be lost.