If you split the papaya later, don't throw away the small round seeds! Although the taste is spicy and slightly bitter, some studies show that papaya seeds can be used as medicine. You can add raw papaya seeds to foods you like, such as smoothies, salad dressings, or marinades. If you wish, you can dry the papaya seeds and grind them to make a powder. Next, you can use the dried papaya powder instead of black pepper.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Enjoying Raw Papaya Seeds
Step 1. Cut the papaya and take the seeds
Place the ripe papaya on a cutting board, then cut it in half lengthwise. Scrape the seeds in each piece of papaya using a spoon.
You can enjoy the papaya that has been split open or store it in the refrigerator. Put the papaya in an airtight container, then store up to 5-7 days
Step 2. Add 1 tbsp (15 grams) of papaya seeds to your smoothie
Although the smoothie becomes bitter after you add the papaya seeds, you can mask the unpleasant taste. Try making a tropical smoothie by mixing papaya seeds with the following ingredients:
- 1 cup (250 grams) pineapple chunks
- 1 cup (250 grams) papaya pieces
- 1 tbsp (15 grams) raw papaya seeds
- 1 tsp (2 grams) fresh ginger
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) water
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) coconut milk
- 3-4 ice cubes
- Honey according to taste
Step 3. Sprinkle raw papaya seeds on food as a spicy garnish
If you want to add more papaya seeds to food or just want to give it a unique garnish, place 2 or 3 papaya seeds on the food before you serve it. For example, you can use the seeds to decorate salads, roasts, soups, or grilled vegetables.
You can leave the raw seeds whole or grind them a little coarsely
Step 4. Puree papaya seeds in a blender to make Hawaiian papaya seed sauce
If you want to make a delicious sweet and sour salad dressing for a vegetable salad, sliced onion, or papaya slices, mix all the ingredients and blend them in a blender. Blend until the sauce is really soft. Necessary materials:
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) rice vinegar
- 1/3 cup (80 ml) canola oil
- 1/2 small sweet onion
- 1 tbsp (12 grams) honey
- 1/2 tsp (3 grams) salt
- 1/2 tsp (1 gram) dry mustard
- 1 1/2 tbsp (22 grams) fresh papaya seeds
Step 5. Make a flavorful marinade for marinating chicken, or steaks
Place all the seeds obtained from 1 papaya in a large bowl, then mix together 1 clove of minced garlic, 1/4 cup (60 ml) coconut cream, 2 tablespoons (2 grams) chopped cilantro, and 1 tablespoon (6 grams)) chopped fresh ginger. Next, grate the rind of 1 lemon and 1 lime, then add it to a bowl with the juice of the two oranges. Place the chicken or meat you want to marinate in a bowl and refrigerate for 1-24 hours.
Remove the chicken, or steaks from the marinade if you wish to cook them. After that, place the meat on the grill and cook it to the desired level of doneness
Step 6. Make a hot sauce by mixing papaya seeds with vinegar and seasoning
Take a blender, then add 6 tablespoons (90 grams) of raw papaya seeds, 4 tablespoons (60 ml) of apple cider vinegar, 1/2 tsp (3 grams) of salt, 1/2 tsp (6 grams) of honey, and 1 clove of garlic. Next, run the blender until all the ingredients are smooth.
Use this hot sauce instead of sriracha sauce (hot Thai sauce) or tabasco (hot sauce usually used for pizza)
Tip:
If you want a very spicy sauce, add 3/4 tsp (0.5 g) of fresh horseradish.
Method 2 of 2: Drying and Grinding Papaya Seeds
Step 1. Cut the papaya in half lengthwise, then take the seeds
Place the ripe papaya on a cutting board and cut it in half lengthwise with a knife. Next, scrape all the seeds from the papaya fruit using a spoon.
To get a ripe papaya, look for a fruit that has yellowed skin and press the fruit gently. Ripe papaya fruit feels soft
Step 2. Rinse the papaya seeds with cold water
Place the seeds in a fine sieve and run cold water over them. You may have to rub the seeds to remove the sticky membrane. Continue rinsing until the membrane layer on the seeds is removed.
You should remove all membranes thoroughly as this can cause the papaya seeds to rot
Step 3. Preheat the oven to 66 °C and spread the seeds on the parchment paper
Place parchment paper on a baking sheet and spread the seeds there. Seeds should be spread in only one layer to dry quickly.
The parchment paper is useful for keeping the seeds from sticking to the baking sheet when dry
Step 4. Bake the papaya seeds for 2-4 hours
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and allow the seeds to dry. Papaya seeds will harden and slightly wrinkled when dry.
If you wish, you can use a dehydrator. Read the manual to find out how long it takes to dry the seeds
Step 5. Grind the papaya seeds and use them instead of black pepper
When the seeds have cooled, you can place them in a mortar and grind them with a pestle to a fineness that suits your taste. Next, try seasoning your food with papaya seed powder instead of black pepper.
Dried papaya seeds can be stored at room temperature for years as long as they are kept dry. Remove the seeds if they start to grow
Tip:
If you want to grind large quantities of papaya seeds, use a spice grinder and make an appropriate amount of papaya seed powder.
Step 6. Mix papaya seeds with spices to make a spread
Make a dry and spicy spread by mixing papaya seed powder, chili pepper, sea salt, and garlic powder. You can also add your favorite herbs and spices, such as cumin, coriander or curry.
Massage the marinade into steaks, pork, chicken breasts, or ribs. Next, place the meat on the grill and enjoy the added flavor
Step 7. Try adding papaya seeds to a baked cake
You can add 1-2 tsp (2-4 grams) of papaya seed powder along with spices and baking powder or baking soda in a toast recipe. For example, add papaya seed powder to papaya muffins, spice bread, or banana bread.
Papaya seed powder can add spiciness to baked goods. Try adding it to biscuits or savory bread
Tips
- The taste of papaya seeds can change. If you don't like the taste the first time you try it, try it again another time!
- You can eat papaya seeds raw, but they can be very bitter and make your stomach hurt. Try tasting 1 or 2 seeds to find out how your body reacts before you eat it in large quantities.
