Papaya, sometimes also called papaya, is rich in fiber and vitamins such as A, C and E.
The term “papaya salad” can be confusing for people looking to explore different salad options outside of the realm of boring iceberg lettuce. The word “pawpaw”, also spelled “paw paw”, is used to describe two very different plants: Asimina triloba and Carica papaya. While not related, both plants can be used in a salad mix, producing very different results.
The legs may come from the common papaya tree.
Carica papaya, also called papaya, is a tree native to tropical areas of North America. The papaya fruit is oblong and oval, orange, pink or yellow-orange in color with fleshy entrails. Asimina triloba is also called common papaya. Native to eastern parts of North America and Canada, the fruit of the tree is similar in appearance to Carica papaya, but has a creamy interior texture with a banana flavor.
Fruit salads can include papaya.
The carica papaya is the most used fruit in salads due to its popularity and availability; there are more people growing mummies of this variety than the common tree. Tradition also plays a role: Carica-style papaya is traditionally used in Asian cuisine, where it typically appears as part of recipes and salad mixes. Papaya salad generally refers to a traditional Asian dish where green papaya is mixed with vegetables and sometimes meat.
Asimina papayas are not excluded from papaya salad recipes, but they are less common. The fruits of the Asimina tree spoil quickly and are rarely cultivated and the fruits are usually collected from wild trees. Due to the creamy nature of papaya, it is often mixed with other fruits to create a fruit salad-like dessert rather than a leafy green salad.
Traditional papaya salad recipes vary depending on where they come from. Vietnamese papaya salad is topped with shrimp or prawns. Lao papaya salad uses spicy pork. Different vegetables are added to enhance the flavor and texture of the fruit and meat. Arugula, spinach, alfalfa sprouts and various leafy herbs make an appearance in this type of salad.
Papaya fruit salad recipes vary in consistency and flavor depending on the type of papaya used. Asimina papaya fruit salads are creamier and richer, often reminiscent of custard or pudding. Carica papaya lends itself to cubes and cubes, and fruit salad recipes using this type of papaya are often mixed fruit bowls.
Vegetarian options often include soy or tofu-based meat substitutes to maintain the original flavor and texture provided by the meats in these recipes. Some people experience an adverse reaction to papaya of any variety. If a person suspects that they are having an allergic reaction to the ingredients in papaya salad, they should seek medical treatment immediately.