Produce Briefs...
Mangosteen
The Purple mangosteen, botanical name Garcinia magostana, simply referred to as mangosteen, is an ultra-tropical slow growing evergreen tree that is cultivated for its edible fruit.
Iceberg Lettuce
It is the only lettuce type that does not occur in red form as well as green. Iceberg is the given name to dozens of cultivars of lettuce, all of which are adapted to specific planting regions and time periods.
Seasons/Availability
Available year round, winter is Mexican papaya's peak season.
Current Facts
Mexican papaya is one of the fastest growing tropical fruits available today. Ranging in size, some can measure twenty inches long and weigh in at fifteen pounds. The average papaya found in markets weighs one-and-one-fourth to two pounds and is six to twelve inches long. The Mexican variety is somewhat larger.
Description/Taste
Turning greenish-yellow with shades of orange when ripe, Mexican papaya contains numerous round, shiny, inedible black seeds in its center cavity. Somewhat similar to a melon, its delectable flesh is firm and juicy. The flavor, however, is not quite as sweet as the common papaya.
Nutritional Value
Papaya places first among fruits in the content of vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, niacin, calcium, folate, riboflavin, thiamine, potassium and fiber. Papaya contains a beneficial enzyme, papain, that aids digestion. Following papaya in nutritional value, in order, is cantaloupe, strawberry, orange, tangerine, kiwi, mango, apricot, persimmom and watermelon. Eating five daily servings of fruits and vegetables lowers the chances of cancer. A recent study found that eating nine or ten daily servings of fruits and vegetables, combined with three servings of low-fat dairy products, were effective in lowering blood pressure.
Applications
Lacking acidity, enhance flavor with a sprinkle of lemon or lime juice. Cut in half; scoop out seeds; top with a scoop of sour cream, frozen or chilled yogurt or ice cream; sprinkle with brown sugar or granola. Slice peeled papaya into rings for an attractive edible garnish; serve with fish and meats. Dress up green salads. Make yummy marinades, ice cream, sauces, smoothies and bread. Add green papaya to stews and soups. Bake, boil or stuff; serve as a vegetable. Add to fruit salads. Puree to make delicious iced beverages. Blend with peanut butter for a tasty spread. Spicy foods love its company. Containing papain, a meat tenderizer, puree fruit to make a natural tenderizing addition to meat marinades. Papaya leaves wrapped around meat also serve as a tenderizer. To soften and tenderize thick meats such as roast beef or t-bones, spread mashed papaya over the meat. Refrigerate about two hours before cooking. To ripen, keep green fruit at room temperature three to five days. To store, refrigerate ripe papaya. Use within a day or two for best flavor. Firm peeled papaya can be frozen in chunks. Frozen fruit is best used in soups, marinades, salad dressings, entrée or dessert sauces and for baking. Uncooked papaya does not congeal in commercial gelatin with an animal protein base. It may be used with agar, a seaweed base. When making papaya chutney or jam, use a commercial pectin or other fruits that have an abundance of pectin.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
The Hawaiian Islands are also major producers of papaya and at one time they used this fruit to feed chickens and pigs! Today, it is a favorite on many menus and more mainland consumers are discovering this island delicacy. Papaya is not to be confused with "pawpaw", the American custard apple. Australians use "pawpaw" to mean papaya.
Geography/History
A New World fruit, papaya is native to South and Central America. Its name is derived from the Spanish adaptation of the word "ababai" from pre-Columbian communities in the Caribbean. Dating back to prehistoric times, dozens of varieties of papaya exist today. Mexican papaya grows in Mexico and is imported into the United States.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
| Waters Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 ex 4 |
| JR Produce | San Diego CA | 858-270-3857 |
| Union Tribune | San Diego CA | 619-299-3131 |
| Cucina Urbana | San Diego CA | 619-239-2222 |
| Four Seasons Residence Club | Carlsbad CA | 760 603 3700 |
| Bare Back Grill Downtown | San Diego CA | 619-237-9990 |
| Maderas Golf Club | Poway CA | 858-451-8100 |
| Paradise Point Resort Main Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
| La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
| Stevie's Catering | San Diego CA | 619-298-7706 |
| Project Wildlife | ||
| Miguel's Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-298-9840 |
| Avenue 5 | San Diego CA | 619-542-0394 |
| La Costa Glen South | Carlsbad CA | FRONT: 760-704-1000 |
| West Steak and Seafood | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-9100 |
| Finch's Wine Bar & Bistro | La Jolla CA | 858-456-4056 |
| Chez Loma | Coronado CA | 619-435-0661 |
| Table 926 | San Diego CA | 858-539-0926 |
| Cork and Platter | San Diego CA | 619-253-8311 |
| The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
| Poseidon | Del Mar CA | 858-755-9345 |
| Woody's Solana Beach | Solana Beach CA | 858-345-1740 |
| In The Market | San Diego CA | 619-232-6367 |
| Museum Cafe | La Jolla CA | 858-456-6427 |
| Bread & Cie Café | San Diego CA | 619-683-9322 |
| Crown Point Catering | San Diego CA | 619-223-1211 |
| San Diego Culinary Institute Inc. | La Mesa CA | 619-644-2100 |
| Saffron | San Diego CA | 619-574-7737 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-7126 |
| Le Papagayo | Encinitas CA | 760-944-8252 |
| LaCasse Maritime | Bothell WA | 206 545 2201 |
| J six | San Diego CA | 619-531-8744 |
| Ohana Café | La Jolla CA | 858-456-9009 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| Pascucci Pasta | San Diego CA | 619-285-8000 |
| Sabor De Vida Brazilian BBQ | Encinitas CA | 760-454-0432 |
| Hilton Carlsbad Oceanfront & Spa | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
| Chaplos Restaurants & Bar | San Diego CA | 619-798-3888 frdesk |
| Croces | San Diego CA | 619-233-4355 |
| Sessions Public | San Diego CA | 619-756-7715 |
| Marriott Marquis & Marina San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-234-1500 x6113 |
| Cups Farm | La Jolla CA | 619-261-9032 |
| Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
| Burger Lounge Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-955-5727 |
| Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
| Gaijin Noodle & Sake House | San Diego CA | 858-246-7782 |
| Lafayette Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-296-2101 |
| Pamplemousse Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-792-9090 |
| Nate's Garden Grill | San Diego CA | 619-607-0117 |
| Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
| Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 760-822-3593 sal |
| Yogurt Escape La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-456-2000 |
| Queenstown Public House | San Diego CA | 619-546-0444 |
| Martinis above Fourth | San Diego CA | 619-400-4500 |
| Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
| The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo | San Diego CA | 858-451-9100 |
| Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5500 x207 |
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| Brockton Villa Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-454-7393 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Mexican Papaya. One
is easiest, three is harder.| meishiChina |
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木瓜牛奶 |
| 文怡心厨房 |
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鲫鱼木瓜汤 |
| meishiChina |
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木瓜鳝鱼 |
| meishiChina |
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木瓜鱼片 |
| meishiChina |
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木瓜汁 |
| The Cooking Blog |
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Caribbean Guacamole |
| meishiChina |
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木瓜鸡汤 |
Recently Spotted
People have spotted Mexican 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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Whole Foods Market Near Lake Grove, New York, United States About 49 days ago Market Street Near Colleyville, Texas, United States About 67 days ago |
