Two refreshing Hawaii papaya recipes for an Arizona Spring

Spring is here, and nothing pairs better with an Arizona Spring than fresh fruit. Hawaii Papaya is one of the best fruits to include in your recipes. It is a super food with great taste and even better nutrients. Here are a few recipes to make Arizona Spring even better.

Hawaii Papaya Salsa

Very few things in this world taste better than fresh salsa on a beautiful Spring day. Arizonans are no strangers to good salsa and a delicious tropical salsa can give you a very balanced and refreshing flavor profile. Papaya is an excellent addition to any tropical salsa due to its delicious taste and health benefits. This salsa is perfect for chip dipping but even better as an addition to an at-home street taco recipe. Papaya salsa serves up to 10 people.

Ingredients

• 8 cups tomatoes, diced
• 1 1/2 cups purple onions, diced
• 1 cup green onion, chopped
• 1 large red bell pepper, diced*
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp. Apple cider vinegar
• 5 large fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
• 3 large limes, cut in halves
• 3 cups ripe papaya, diced
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients except limes in a bowl and fold gently.
2. Squeeze lime juice into mixture.
3. Serve with tortilla chips.

* For spicy flavor, add 3 Mezzetta Hot Chili Peppers, finely chopped.

Papaya Vinaigrette

A papaya vinaigrette is the perfect dressing for a Spring salad or a marinade for meats. Spring is about enjoying refreshing tropical flavors, and this dressing represents all of that perfectly.
Ingredients

• 1 lb. very ripe papaya
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 Tbsp. fresh basil
• 1/8 tsp. fresh cracked black peppercorns (crushed)
• 1 fresh garlic clove (medium)
• 2 Tbsp. fresh chives
• 1/4 Tbsp. sea salt
• Dash of shoyu
• Dash of oyster sauce
• 1/2 tbsp. sesame seed or poppy seed or caraway seed, optional
• 3/4 cup virgin olive oil

Directions

1. Scoop and crush papaya.
2. Add wet ingredients, then add dry ingredients and mix with a wire whisk.
3. Serve over 2″ romaine lettuce halves with other desired greens. Add variety and color with Manoa lettuce, red cabbage and iceberg lettuce, or even green, red and yellow bell peppers! Garnish with radish and endive with some anise, if desired.

Hawaii papaya is an amazing and refreshing tropical fruit to enjoy on a warm Arizona Spring day. These recipes are easy to make and let you and your family enjoy all papaya's delicious and healthy benefits. Enjoy!

Eric Weinert is the owner of Hawaii Papaya Direct a delivery service that ships fresh Hawaii Papaya directly to homes within two days. Hawaii Papaya Direct continues to provide Arizona customers with vacation-quality tropical fruits.