Once called the "fruit of the angels" by Christopher Columbus, papaya (or pawpaw) is deliciously sweet with a soft, butter-like consistency that makes it ideal to make "NiceCream." Next to its highly nutritious flesh, papaya seeds are edible too. Though their peppery, bitter flavor might not be for everyone.
Just as the fruit, other parts of the papaya tree contain papain an enzyme that helps digest proteins. Furthermore, the seeds can help fight parasite infections, which makes it a wonderful addition to your diet if you live in a parasite-infected region such as the tropics.
Furthermore, 1 small papaya (276 grams, or a bit more than 0.5 pounds) is a great source of vitamin C (224% of your daily need (DV)), folate (26% DV), fiber (19% DV), Vitamin A (15% DV), magnesium (14% DV), potassium (14% DV), copper (13% DV), and pantothenic acid (11% DV).
FYI: The one I'm holding in the picture is a little over 2 kg or 4 pounds. See how it is getting a light yellow spot? Means it is almost ripe. As it was getting super heavy, we let it ripen on the counter for a few days. We weren't going to be home a lot so better harvest a little too early than to come home and find in on the ground eaten by ants and other jungle critters.
How to grow your own ღ ღ ღ
If there is one tropical fruit that is easy to grow then it's papaya. The only thing you need to do is throw some of the seeds in the garden, water, and wait.
Don't bother to sow them indoors in pots first. Papaya doesn't like to be transplanted but the seeds sprout very well. If you live in a colder climate and want to grow them indoors in a pot, make sure you sow them in a big pot to avoid translation.
Transplanting a papaya plant will stunt their growth for a few months. Something you don't want as you can grow a papaya from seed to fruit in about 6 months if the conditions are right!
So again, when you buy your next papaya just rinse the seeds with water and throw them in the garden. Easy-peasy! Btw they attract lovely creatures too (pic below was from our previous house though)
Papaya Green Smoothie Nice Cream
Yummy as breakfast, afternoon snack, or dessert. In other words, it's delicious at any time of the day ;)
Ingredients (serves 2)
2 banana chunked and frozen
2 cups papaya chunked and frozen (save some for topping)
1/2 cup pineapple chunked and frozen (save some for topping)
1 cup spinach packed, freeze leaves
1/2-1 cup unsweetened almond milk cooled, or coconut milk works too
FYI: other optional toppings include raw cacao nibs, toasted coconut flakes, goji berries, mulberries, fresh fruits, pistachios or other seeds and nuts.
Directions
- Freeze all ingredients except the almond milk.
- Add all ingredients to a blender and process until smooth soft serve ice cream.
- Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Happy #FruitandVeggiesMonday ღ ღ ღ
Thank you @lenasveganliving for organizing this fun little contest every week.
ALL CONTENT IS MINE AND ORIGINAL!
PICTURE(s) TAKEN WITH NIKON D5600
Papaya is also my favourite....I just love it thank you for sharing this amazing recipe
It so yum. especially when you turn into ice cream hehe. Have a beautiful day my friend!
Same to you☺️☺️have a great day
i love papaya
Same here. Wish I could send you some ;)
Thank you @amy-goodrich I love papaya its my favourite. good post.
Does it easily grow in S-Africa too? It so good indeed.
yes they do @ amy-goodrich they are so good for you. I just love your recipes.
Aww thanks my friend! Have a blessed day!
nice post i will done upvote
Thanks ;)
Lol... he always cracks me up. Thanks for stopping by!
Its a pleasure , and have a good harvest !
i like it, Thanks For Sharing 😍 😘
Always a pleasure! Have a great day!
It contains lots of fiber.
It sure does. thanks for stopping by!
I feel confused? Did I miss something I've read it and reread it. I feel silly bringing this up, but....
There is no Papaya in your Papaya Green Smoothie? what I miss? LOL
I do love papaya and this sounds delicious even without the papaya!
Oh thanks for pointing out... with all the magoes ready here (mango season in full swing) I accidentally wrote mango instead of papaya as there is clearly no mango in the pic and ice cream..... hehe. Think my mind must have drifted to the mangoes. Thanks again. Mistake corrected ;)
Yep, still have total tropical fruit envy over here. ;)
Lol... sorry for that! But hey you have berries and they are my favorite.... missing them so much here. We can't have it all ;)
Very true--each climate has it's own wonderful plant-based gems! I'll try to go berry picking an extra time this year in your honor. ;)
Ohh that would be so nice... looking forward to seeing some pics of that. Already looking forward to our Europe visit in may... always eat so much berry when I am there. Before we came here they were my fav fruit... now it's soursop. What's yours?
Oooh, hard to pick just one favorite. ;) It probably rotates out based on what's in season. Here in my home state the peaches are fantastic when they are fresh. The berries are also tough to beat when you can go picking. Then the apples we picked last year were so delicious, too!
Lol.. I know it's hard to pick a favorite... hmmm peaches.
I have the seeds in the freezer for smoothies, but I don't think I will be planting them in the garden here in Canada, lol. Nevertheless, I enjoined reading your entry very much Amy. Not only because I love papaya and the delicious recipe you shared, but I also love that little critter that is peeking trough the bushes, lol.
Thank you so much for another fabulous entry my Dear 🍒 🍌🍑🌿🍍🍓🍇
Thanks Lena for all your kind word. And better add those seeds to your smoothies as I don't think they will grow in Canada unless you have a lot of space to keep the warm indoors. Hehe. Have a happy and healthy week.
That's for sure Amy, lol.
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU! A WELL-EARNED AWARD!
Ohhh thanks! Glad the both of you liked the papaya post.
Wow, I so wish I could have papayas growing outside my house! I dont think they would fare too well in rainy polluted London :'( Lovely post though, upvoted :D x
I don't think so either. Lol. They love the tropical heat. But if you are ever close feel free to come and munch on ours ;)
I finally made it to a veggie Monday. I missed all your delicious recipes. I have transplanted a few papayas successfully, but they really don't like it too much.
Going to throw out some seeds as soon as it gets warm again. We have really weird weather right now!
Oh is it... think it will get worse. We are having quite a lot of rain to be in the dry season too. Plants are loving it though ;)
Another wonderful post, Amy!! I love papayas so much, it's so cool you have your own growing in the garden. Keep it up my Dear :)
Thanks gorgeous... feeling very lucky indeed... if there was only a fruit sharing button on here I would share them with you all hehe.
you will have a good harvest !!!!
Thanks... fruit season is so much fun!