Pappanga Thoran/Sautéed Papaya With Coconut

Papaya is a tropical fruit and has a sweet musky taste when ripe with a soft orange tinted flesh. Been googling about papaya and came to know about few health benefits of the fruit. Papaya-the fruit, as well as the other parts of the papaya tree, contain papain, an enzyme that helps digest proteins. This enzyme is especially concentrated in the fruit when it is unripe. Papain is extracted to make digestive enzyme dietary supplements.  Vitamin C and vitamin A, which is made in the body from the beta-carotene in papaya, are both needed for the proper function of a healthy immune system. Papaya may therefore be a healthy fruit choice for preventing such illnesses as recurrent ear infections, colds and flu.  It has also got some anti inflammatory effect.  Can read more about the health benefits of papaya here.

In Kerala most of the homes have at least one papaya tree in their backyard!  The raw papayas are used for cooking, usually made into a thoran(sauted with grated coconut)or stir fry.  I'm not very keen on ripe papayas, but when raw and made into a thoran, I'm all 'ga ga' about it. 

You will need...

Raw Papaya - 2 medium

Coconut - 1/4 - 1/2 grated

Green chillies - 3-4 (2 for grinding and 2 chopped)

Jeera - 1 tsp

Turmeric - 1 tsp

Mustard seeds - 1-2 tsp

Shallots(Cheriya ulli) - a handful peeled and sliced

Whole red chillies(dry) - 2-3 split into 2-3 pieces

Curry leaves - few

Salt - to taste

Wash, skin, deseed and grate the papayas into a mixing bowl.  Grind coconut along with 2 green chillies, 2 shallots and jeera.  Add this into the grated papaya.  Add turmeric, salt and mix well.  Keep aside.  In a thick bottomed pan heat oil.  Splutter mustard seeds and saute shallots, red chillies,  chopped green chillies and curry leaves until shallots are translucent.  Add the papaya mixture into it, cover and cook for 7-10 mins in medium heat.  If there is still water left stir fry until all the water is gone. Serve hot with rice.

I'm sending this to the event 'Think Beyond the Usual - Fruits' hosted by Nithu Bala.  She has got an inspiring lovely space, which you can visit by clicking here.

Cheers!!!