If you’re in the mood for a tropical smoothie or a lassi, or want to make a delicious fruit salad, papaya is a sure bet to place in your shopping cart. This large fruit, with its mellow sweetness and somewhat creamy texture, adds a subtle and refreshing flavor to drinks, salads, and soups.
The process of cutting a papaya is like a cross between cutting a melon and a mango. With this fruit, it’s easiest to remove the inner seeds and pulp before slicing off the tough skin. You’re dealing with a slippery fruit, so take care to use a stable cutting surface when working.
How to Tell If a Papaya Is Ripe
Before cutting into your papaya, make sure it’s ripe. The skin should be turning from deep green to mottled yellow, and you should feel a little give to the fruit when you gently press it. (Don’t press too hard, though!)
Once your papaya is ripe, it’s time to slice into it.
