Green Papaya/Chayote Squash Salad With Lime Dressing

Green Papaya/Chayote Squash Salad is a refreshingly delicious, crunchy, and flavorful salad that can do double duty as a salad of course and a lovely starter or snack. I love to use green papaya but cannot always find it; chayote squash or jicama are great substitutes!

For best results, the veggies should be cut into match stick size julienne pieces or large shreds; but not finely grated. This is where you can show off your fancy knife skills or practice it!

This is a great make-ahead salad; prepare all the ingredients upto a day ahead; mix the salad with the dressing 10-15 minutes before serving.

Note: If you use seasoned rice vinegar, omit sugar as the vinegar is already seasoned with it.

INGREDIENTS:

1 Green Papaya/Chayote, peeled and coarsely shredded

1 Carrot, peeled and coarsely shredded

1 Jalapeno chile, cored and thinly sliced

2 Green Onions, white and green parts, sliced diagonally

1/3 cup EACH fresh Mint & Cilantro, finely chopped

2 Tbsp Unseasoned Rice Vinegar

2-3 tsp Jaggery or Brown Sugar

2-3 Limes

4-5 fresh young Lime leaves OR1 tsp Lime Zest

1 Tbsp Minced Ginger

1 clove fresh Garlic, finely mashed

1/4 - 1/2 tsp Ground Red Pepper (cayenne) (optional)

Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper to taste
Black Sesame seeds

METHOD:

Combine the rice vinegar, sugar, juice from 1 lime, lime zest (if using finely sliced lime leaves, add to the veggies rather than the dressing) ginger, garlic, red pepper if using, and salt & pepper. Mix well.

Toss the veggies, herbs, and dressing together in a large bowl; taste and add more lime juice or other ingredients as needed.

Cover and chill for about 10-15 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!!