Try Something New:  Papaya with Lemon Juice

A good friend of mine at work is always telling me about new and interesting foods that her family prepares.  You see, she’s got a pretty diverse ethnic background, so that means just about anything she mentions is something I’ve either never heard of or never tried.  This week, we were talking about tasty snacks.  She told me about Papaya with Lemon Juice.  Instead of milk and cookies, the healthy fruit with the tart juice was her after-school snack.  She told me how to pick the right papaya, how to prepare it and of course how to eat it.

A ripe papaya has a mostly yellow skin and it will give slightly when gently pressed with a thumb.  Press near the cut stem.  It should not be mushy.  Halve the fruit lengthwise and gently scoop out the seeds.  Then squeeze on fresh lemon juice, enough to pool in the center and eat.  Use a spoon to scoop out the sweet and tart snack.

The fruit is rich in Vitamin C and is a healthy choice for breakfast, sliced over a salad, or chopped into a nice chutney. Just cut papaya into cubes, toss with onions and your favorite herb (I like mint) and serve it alongside grilled fish or chicken.  It’s an incredibly healthy meal that can take your imagination to an exotic land.  Maybe I’ll see you there!

So try something new!  Who knows?  You just might like it.

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