Green papaya salad

Green Papaya Salad

File:Green Papaya Salad.jpg

Green Papaya Salad

Green Papaya Salad, also known as Som Tam in Thailand, is a popular Thai dish that combines all four tastes - sour, chilli, sweet and salty. This salad is a staple in many Southeast Asian countries, including Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

Ingredients

The main ingredient of Green Papaya Salad is shredded unripe papaya. Other ingredients include:

• Chilies
• Garlic
• Lime
• Fish sauce
• Palm sugar
• Tomatoes
• Long beans
• Roasted peanuts

Preparation

The preparation of Green Papaya Salad involves pounding all the ingredients together in a mortar with a pestle. The process of pounding not only mixes the ingredients but also extracts the flavors to create a harmonious blend.

File:Making Green Papaya Salad.jpg

Making Green Papaya Salad

Variations

There are several variations of Green Papaya Salad, each with its unique twist. Some of the popular ones include:

• Som Tam Thai: This version includes peanuts, dried shrimp, and palm sugar.
• Som Tam Boo Pla Ra: This version includes salted crab and fermented fish sauce.
• Tam Laos: This is the Lao version of the salad, which often includes fermented fish sauce and crab.

Health Benefits

Green Papaya Salad is not only delicious but also packed with numerous health benefits. Papaya is known for its high content of Vitamin C and Vitamin A, which are essential for boosting the immune system. It is also rich in dietary fiber, which aids in digestion.

See Also

• Thai cuisine
• Papaya
• List of salads