Spiced Roasted Papaya

Recipe PREP 10 min COOK 20 min

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Spiced Roasted Papaya

PREP 10 min COOK 20 min

Description

Roasted papaya, served with chilled yogurt, makes a light, cleansing breakfast. Besides its striking color, aroma, and luscious texture, papaya offers fantastic nutrition. Papain aids digestion, while lycopene, carotenoids, and vitamin A support skin, immunity, and vision. Star anise adds antioxidants and Greek yogurt boosts energy, metabolism, and gut health.

Note: To make a bonus Papaya Seed Pepper, wash the gelatinous pulp off the seeds, and spread them on an oven tray. Dry them out at a 120°Celsius for about two hours, until they are dehydrated. You can add them to a grinder and add some floral, herbal pungency to your food.

Ingredients

2 to 4 SERVES

1 medium (450-660 g) ripe papaya
1 tsp cinnamon powder, optional
3 to 4 pieces star anise
10 fresh tulsi (holy basil) leaves
1 Tbsp virgin coconut oil
1/2 Tbsp local honey, optional
1 cup Greek yogurt to serve, optional

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 390°F/ 200°C. Use both top and bottom heating elements or convection if your oven allows.
Step 2

Cut the papaya vertically into two halves and place them on a baking tray. You can scoop out the seeds to compost, make Papaya Seed Pepper, or leave them in the fruit.
Step 3

Sprinkle each papaya half with a pinch of cinnamon powder, a few pieces of star anise and tulsi leaves. Drizzle coconut oil over the papaya halves and gently rub it into the cut surface.
Step 4

Slide the tray into the middle rack and roast the papaya for 15 to 25 minutes, or until the pieces are golden and a bit charred before taking them out. Broil for the last five minutes if you prefer it more charred.
Step 5

Serve the warm papaya halves with dollops of chilled yogurt and a drizzle of honey, if using.

Substitutions: : Use 1 tsp dried tulsi leaves, or any fresh basil variety in place of tulsi.

Level Up: Make your own Homemade Dahi & Yogurt or thick hung curd. Sprinkle with a grind of Papaya Seed Pepper (see Note).

Try It With: Aparajita Nice Cream for a colorful, healthy, tropical dessert.

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Ingredient

Papaya

About the author

Eeshaan Kashyap

Eeshaan Kashyap is a Delhi-based chef and food stylist who works at the intersection of food and art though curating culinary events. He is the artist-designer behind Tablescape, an online tableware store.

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