Spiced Roasted Papaya

Recipe PREP 10 min COOK 20 min

Spiced Roasted Papaya

PREP 10 min COOK 20 min

Description & Benefits

Cut papaya is a breakfast-table staple in India. Growing up, we’d always buy two for the week: one ripe fruit and another that would ripen in newspaper over the next few days. As a kid, I loved unwrapping it to check the ripeness every morning — and in the process learning how to pick a good piece of fruit, and know when it was ready to eat.


Besides its striking color, seductive aroma and luscious texture, papaya has fantastic nutritional properties. I make roasted papaya for a light and easy, cleansing breakfast. I add spices that complement the tropical flavors, and serve it with chilled yogurt for an extra dose of probiotics. 

Papayas contain the enzyme papain, which is often used as a meat tenderizer. Papain aids with digestion as well as reducing pain, swelling and inflammation. Papayas also contain lycopene, good for skin health; carotenoids, which benefit immunity and eyesight (as does the vitamin A content); and finally potassium and fiber for cardiovascular and digestive health respectively. Star anise is a potent spice with antioxidant, anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory compounds like gallic acid and quercetin. Protein-rich Greek yoghurt is great for energy, metabolism, stronger bones, gut health, and healthy vision.

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

  1. Step 1
    Preheat the oven to 390°F/ 200°C. Use both top and bottom heating elements or convection if your oven allows.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.

Photo by Thomas George

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