What am I cooking?(4)

[Morning Glory]

I saw a recipe for Som Tam that used rutabaga in place of the papaya. Maybe that's an option?

Rutabaga is swede in UK speak. I can't see how it could replace papaya. Its a root not a fruit. Its earthy tasting and slightly sweet. So I'm wondering about this. Do you have a recipe link?

 

[The Late Night Gourmet]

Rutabaga is swede in UK speak. I can't see how it could replace papaya. Its a root not a fruit. Its earthy tasting and slightly sweet. So I'm wondering about this. Do you have a recipe link?

Here's one:

https://www.maangchi.com/recipe/som-tam

and another:

https://spicytones.com/2014/08/06/somtam-salad-a-birthday-celebration/

and another:

https://stitchesandsupper.com/2015/05/07/low-carb-thai-papaya-salad-my-way/

 

[The Velvet Curtain]

I think next time I'm cooking with swede (usually diced into stews) I will grate a little and see how it tastes. I does still seem a little odd though.

 

[Morning Glory]

I think next time I'm cooking with swede (usually diced into stews) I will grate a little and see how it tastes. I does still seem a little odd though.

I've tasted raw swede. Its a bit like raw turnip (well - it is semi-turnip in origin) and is not really sweet at all. Its like a very mild radish perhaps. And I'm sure it can be used raw to effect. But as a substitute for papaya? I'm not convinced. Papaya is a fruit with a sweet taste which is a bit like mango though not as tangy.

 

[The Late Night Gourmet]

I've tasted raw swede. Its a bit like raw turnip (well - it is semi-turnip in origin) and is not really sweet at all. Its like a very mild radish perhaps. And I'm sure it can be used raw to effect. But as a substitute for papaya? I'm not convinced. Papaya is a fruit with a sweet taste which is a bit like mango though not as tangy.

The recipe uses green (unripened) papaya. If you can get that, then by all means do. A ripe papaya is sweet, but a green (unripe) one is bitter when eaten raw. I think this is why swede approximates the flavor.

 

[Morning Glory]

The recipe uses green (unripened) papaya. If you can get that, then by all means do. A ripe papaya is sweet, but a green (unripe) one is bitter when eaten raw. I think this is why swede approximates the flavor.

Ah! Ok - I understand now.

 

[The Velvet Curtain]

Ah! Ok - I understand now.

As Gourmet said, when unripe they eat like a vegetable. Ripe papaya are very easy to come by here, but they really don't work, the sweetness and softness are all wrong.