What can I use if I can't find papaya?

My suggestion would be to use cantaloupe as the first option (also known as spanspek in South Africa). Other fruit that will work in this recipe are the melon varieties, apples, pears and mangoes. u003cbr/u003eu003cimg class=u0022wp-image-112873u0022 style=u0022max-width:100%;u0022 src=u0022https://myanosmickitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/cantaloupe-spanspek.jpgu0022 alt=u0022cantaloupe (spanspek)u0022/u003e

How do you keep papaya from going bad?

When you buy them, make sure they are ripe but still firm especially if you don't plan on using them immediately. Un-cut papaya will last much longer than 3 days in the fridge. Refrigerate whole for best storage. If already sliced, cover tighly with cling wrap and refrigerate, use up in a day or two.

Tropical Papaya Salad Recipe with a Mustard Dressing

Description

A Tropical Papaya Salad with cucumber, red onion and apple slices served with a honey mustard dressing that indulges your taste buds and make them pop with happiness!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Dressing

2 tablespoons dijon mustard
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
1 small garlic clove, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt and black pepper blend
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

For the Salad

2 ripe papaya
1/2 red onion
1/2 cucumber
1/2 apple
1 tablespoon fresh parsley

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Instructions

Make the salad dressing

In a mason jar or small bowl add all the salad ingredients. Whisk/shake and set it aside while you make the salad.

Papaya Salad

Thinly slice the red onion and cucumber with a sharp knife or mandolin. Soak the red onion slices in ice water for a few minutes to remove the strong flavor. This prevents the strong onion flavor from clashing with the dressing.
Peel the papaya, slice them in half, remove the seeds and cut into chunks.
Thinly slice the apple, chop the parsley and then start layering all the components into a large enough bowl.
Gently toss and serve with the salad dressing.

Notes

- Ripe papaya is sweet and contributes to the taste and perfect balance of the fresh cucumber. I haven’t tried it with unripened papaya but it's commonly used in Thai cuisine salad recipes.

- This is delicious papaya salad but it should not be mistaken for a meal it's a side dish which is best served with a protein, veg or both. I’ve shared some serving ideas below this post.

- Note that because papaya is very high in sugar, it should not be eaten on an empty stomach or it can cause a rise in your blood sugar. If you start reaching for chocolate or crave something sweet after this salad, you probably ate it on an empty stomach.
Tip! Make the salad dressing up to 3 days ahead! Store in an airtight container and refrigerate until you're ready to serve.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Cuisine: American, carribean, Western

Nutrition

Calories: 154
Sugar: 16
Sodium: 387
Fat: 8
Saturated Fat: 1
Carbohydrates: 22
Fiber: 4
Protein: 1