Produce Briefs...
Wasabi
Wasabi is a perennial and a member of the Cruciferae family. It is grown mainly for its underground rhizome (tuber) which produces branch-less, edible leaves above ground. A mature wasabi root is firm, cylindrical, brown and green-skinned and tapered.
Banana Flowers
Exotic banana flowers are the red-orange to deep purple, pointed, compact heads at the tip end of a forming bunch of bananas. Each bud has large outer petals that protect groups of small white flowers
Seasons/Availability
Hawaiin papaya are available year round.
Current Facts
At least eight other species of the genus Carica bear edible fruits. These include C. candamarcensis, the mountain papaya of the Andes and the babaco, C. pentagona.
Description/Taste
A true taste of the tropics, Hawaiian papaya is encased in a gleaming sunny yellow skin when ripened to perfection. This scrumptious fruit is ripe when mostly yellow and soft to the touch. The pulp is a matching creamy yellow, delicately scented, and deliciously sweet. A mass of black seeds is encased in a gelatinous coating in the center. Often discarded, the seeds are edible. Crunchy and peppery, crushed seeds can be used as a mildly spicy condiment.
Applications
Slightly lacking in acidity, a squeeze of lime juice enhances this fruit's addicting flavor. Most commonly enjoyed fresh, papaya can be pureed or baked as well. Papaya can also be used to soften and tenderize thick meats such as roast beef or t-bones; spread mashed papaya over the meat and refrigerate about two hours before cooking. To store, refrigerate when ripe only. Use within a day or two or flavor will diminish.
Geography/History
Native to the lowlands of eastern Central America, Portuguese and Spanish explorers fell in love with this special fruit and introduced it to other settlements in the East and West Indies where its Carib name "ababai" became "papaya". Taken to the Pacific islands, papaya was grown in tropical regions by 1800. Today Hawaii is a main exporter. Virtually all papayas consumed in the United States come from Hawaii. More than 95 percent of Hawaii's papayas are grown in the rich volcanic soil of the eastern end of the island of Hawaii.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-7126 |
| Embassy Suites Downtown | San Diego CA | 619-239-2400 ext 700 |
| Urban Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-239-2222 |
| Stevie's Catering | San Diego CA | 619-298-7706 |
| Le Papagayo | Encinitas CA | 760-944-8252 |
| Golden Door | San Marcos CA | 760-761-4142 |
| Bahia Resort Hotel | San Diego CA | 858-488-0551 |
| Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
| Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
| Marriott Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-696-0234 x6051 |
| US Grant Hotel Main | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Roy's La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-455-1616 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Carolyn J. Fisher | San Diego CA | 858-274-1129 |
| La Costa Resort & Spa | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Blue Water Seafood Market and Grill | San Diego CA | 619-497-0914 |
| Surf Side Cuisine | San Diego CA | 619 507-0891 |
| Boat House Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-0155 |
| Kai Foods | Imperial Beach CA | 619-254-8996 |
| Finch's Wine Bar & Bistro | La Jolla CA | 858-456-4056 |
| Bertrand at Mr A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| J six | San Diego CA | 619-531-8744 |
| Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5500 x207 |
| Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
| Wynola Flats Produce | Julian CA | 760-765-2979 |
| Queenstown Public House | San Diego CA | 619-546-0444 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 800-843-4661 |
| Village Club | Chula Vista CA | 619-425-3333 |
| Gabardine Bar | San Diego CA | 619-398-9810 |
| Croces | San Diego CA | 619-233-4355 |
| Union Tribune | San Diego CA | 619-299-3131 |
| The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
| San Diego Culinary Institute Inc. | La Mesa CA | 619-644-2100 |
| Estancia Adobe | San Diego CA | 858-550-1000 |
| Uptown Tavern | San Diego CA | 619-203-8584 |
| Mille Fleurs | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-9085 |
| Mission Bay Yacht Club | San Diego CA | 858-488-0501 x14 |
| JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
| Catamaran | San Diego CA | 858-488-1081 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| Paradise Point Resort Main Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
| Bread & Cie Café | San Diego CA | 619-683-9322 |
| The Compass | Carlsbad CA | 760-419-8343 |
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| Stingaree | San Diego CA | 619-544-0867 |
| Chaplos Restaurants & Bar | San Diego CA | 619-798-3888 frdesk |
| Tom Hams Light House | San Diego CA | 619-291-9110 |
| Gro Café | San Diego CA | 619-253-8311 |
| Crosby National Golf Club LLC | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-227-0172 |
| Hotel Del Coronado Banquets | Coronado CA | 619-435-6611 |
| Harney Sushi Oceanside | Oceanside CA | 760-967-1820 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Hawaiian Papaya. One
is easiest, three is harder.| meishiChina |
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木瓜布丁 |
| Healthy Happy Life |
|
Big Kahuna Hawaiian Salad with Pineapple Tahini Dressing |
| meishiChina |
|
木瓜汁 |
| meishiChina |
|
凉拌木瓜 |
| meishiChina |
|
橙汁木瓜 |
Recently Spotted
Someone spotted Hawaiian Papaya using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Spotting allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Fresh Mart Near Shanghai, Shanghai, China About 44 days ago, 5/05/13 Spotter's comments : Papayas are available . |
