Papayas

Papayas may be a common fruit to the world in general, but not to us. The papayas we see at the market are but one variety of this luscious fruit. Its flesh is yellow-pink to yellow-orange and the fruit has a pocket of small black seeds. The seeds are edible and make a dramatic garnish.

A papaya is ripe when it gives comfortably to thumb pressure. To ripen, keep the fruit out of the sun in a bowl or in a paper bag. Refrigerate when ripe and eat within a day or two.

Papaya is delicious in fruit salads, especially with citrus fruits, or it can be eaten alone with just a drizzle of lime juice. It combines well with meat—grilled pork, smoked turkey and chicken—and seafood; and it makes a terrific salsa.