People normally eat papaya raw and wouldn't even think of boiling it in a soup. However, cooked papaya tastes good as well, especially in a clear broth with pork bones and other condiments. It is a savoury soup but has a naturally sweet taste as well from the papayas. It is so yummy.
I must confess, one fruit I don't eat is papaya. I don't like the way it smells. Something about it tastes bad to me. But I would eat it cooked in a soup! Because the soup dilutes the papaya taste and it tastes like a melon or a gourd instead.
My mom boiled this soup yesterday. It uses papaya that it not quite ripe yet. It has to be firm and unripe so it doesn't break apart while cooking. My mom adds pork bone, dates, wolfberries, white fungus and a little salt. She boils the pork bones first until tender. The papaya goes in last. Ideally it should be a slow boil so that the flavours can seep into the soup.
Papaya has antioxidant properties and is good for digestion. It also is good for the heart and lungs. It is good for the eyes as well and also for arthritis. It has so many healing properties! I was amazed at this vitamin and antioxidant packed fruit and I am glad I can eat it cooked in soup so I don't miss out!
Labels: fruit, health, healthy, home cooking, meals
