Papaya

Characteristics

Papayas are melon-like tropical fruit with an orange-colored sweet, soft flesh and edible seeds.
The fruit’s flesh contains papain, an enzyme that is a powerful digestive aid.
Papaya skin typically yellows as it ripens. To determine if a papaya is ripe, press your thumb against its skin. It’s ripe if you can press down easily.
1 small papaya contains:
- 106% of your recommended daily value of vitamin C to help heal wounds and to keep teeth and gums healthy.
- 30% of your recommended daily value of vitamin A to keep eyes and skin healthy and to protect the body against infections.

Prepare

To prepare papaya, cut in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop out the seeds. Keep seeds for consumption if desired. Peel papaya using a knife or vegetable peeler. Cut as desired. You can eat the fruit raw or cooked.

Try papaya:

Raw dressed in lime juice
Blended in a smoothie
As part of a marinade for meat – papaya are natural meat tenderizers
Baked in the oven with cinnamon and sugar for a healthy dessert

Store

To refrigerate: Papayas ripen best in room temperature. Once ripe, store the papaya in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to a week.
To freeze: Place cubed papaya on a cookie sheet and place in the freezer. Once frozen, place cubes in plastic containers or freezer-safe plastic bags.

Help end hunger. Join our community.