Papaya is a tropical fruit with a soft, pinkish-orange flesh, a sweet flavour and a creamy texture. It has a unique taste, something like a cross between a cantaloupe and a mango. As a papaya ripens, it turns from green to yellow. When it’s mostly yellow and a little soft to the touch, it’s ready to eat. To cut a papaya, start by cutting the ends off. Slice it lengthwise and carefully scoop out the seeds, making sure not to get the fruit’s flesh. Use a vegetable peeler to peel the skin off each half. Cut the papaya into strips, wedges, or bite-sized pieces.

Papaya is full of flavour and enjoyable on its own or it can be added to salads, smoothies, or salsa. Mix papaya with mango, jalapeno, red peppers, and chipotle pepper, which is tasty on tacos or enchiladas. Blend a few slices of frozen papaya, with pineapple juice, frozen banana, and Greek yogurt for a sweet tropical treat. Add cubed papaya to kebabs, it pairs well with chicken or tofu.