I am on a mission to explore just how many ways there are to enjoy Papaya, a fruit which takes me back many years to my childhood. In Nigeria, Papaya is fondly called Pawpaw and is widely enjoyed as a snack. But Pawpaw is a lot more versatile and can be eaten in so many ways, and I am enjoying discovering these different ways.
Whether you live in the tropics where there is an abundance of Papaya fruit, or you are only able to buy Papaya at your local supermarket (thanks to globalisation!), then you need to stay tuned to see what I get up to with my stash of Papaya which is now in season at my local Coop Supermarket, who by the way, stock FairTrade Papayas from Brazil. Last week, I featured a breakfast recipe incorporating Papaya and Fonio, which is an absolute must-try for a lazy Sunday morning. And, guess what? I’ve got a few more Papaya recipes coming up on the blog soon too – You don’t want to miss these, I promise!
Now, if you are in the market for a light and easy recipe featuring Papaya, then these Spicy Roasted Papaya and Fonio boats are just what you need. Spicy, zingy, aromatic, fresh! Roasting Papaya is just so divine, as roasting allows the natural sugars in the fruit to deepen and intensify and you are rewarded with a delectable flavour that I can only describe as a cross between a cantaloupe melon and butternut squash.This recipe also could not really be easier:
- Prep the veg, egg and fonio
- Stuff the papaya
- Pop it in the oven
- Grab a glass of wine (non-negotiable)
- 1 papaya (pawpaw) ripe
- 1 egg
- 20 g Fonio (Acha)
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper chopped and de-seeded
- 1 clove garlic pressed
- 20 g ginger peeled and chopped
- 5 g Parmesan cheese for sprinkling
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- 1 tsp balsamic vinegar
- A sprinkling parsley chopped
- 1 pinch salt to taste
- 1 pinch black pepper to taste
- Prepare the fonio by transferring it to a pan on medium heat and add 80ml of water. Cover the pan and allow the fonio to absorb all the water. This should take approx. 4-5 minutes. Taste the fonio for done-ness. When done, it should be soft and not chewy or hard. Cover and set aside.
- Add 1 teaspoon of coconut oil to a frying pan and when hot, fry the onions, garlic, ginger and peppers for 1 - 2 minutes, then add the egg and cooked fonio. Season with salt and pepper and fry for about 4 - 5 minutes.
- Stuff the de-seeded Papaya (Paw-paw) with the egg and fonio mixture. Drizzle the honey over the Papaya.
- Add 200ml of water to an oven-safe dish and place the stuffed papaya boats in the dish. The water will prevent the Papaya skins from burning.
- Roast at 180 degrees (fan-assisted) for 30 minutes. Sprinkle cheese over the stuffed papaya boats and return to the oven for another 5 minutes.
- Drizzle the balsamic vinegar and sprinkle some chopped parsley over the boats to serve.
Is this recipe right for you?
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Afro-fusion Food Lover.
Sustainable Food Advocate.
Completely nuts about Avocado.
