Buzz
Indulge in the essence of Tet with delightful candies, where the sweet aroma becomes a cherished flavor in every home. Alongside traditional treats like lotus seed, winter melon, and coconut candies, green papaya candy offers a unique and subtly sweet twist. Join Mytour in the kitchen to explore 3 exciting ways to make green papaya candy!
1. Introduction to Green Papaya Candy
Made from fresh green papaya and unique spices, green papaya candy boasts eye-catching colors and a perfect level of sweetness, avoiding the heaviness common in many other types of candies. Green papaya candy comes in various forms, such as chewy strands or bite-sized pieces, each offering distinct flavors to suit your preferences and taste buds.
Image: Collected
2. How to Make Chewy Shredded Green Papaya Candy
Chewy shredded green papaya candy is a beloved treat for many. With finely shredded papaya, the delightful fragrance pairs perfectly with a cup of tea. Dive into the steps below to master the art of crafting delectable chewy green papaya candy, ideal for welcoming guests during the Tet holiday.
Prepare the ingredients
- Green papaya: 01 fruit
- Sugar: 500g – 600g
- 30g pandan leaves
- Tartaric acid
- Vanilla essential oil
Detailed Guide on How to Make Chewy Shredded Green Papaya Candy
Step 1: Prepare the green papaya
- Gently puncture the skin of the papaya multiple times to release the latex.
- Clean the papaya skin, then peel and wash it again with clean water to remove any remaining latex.
- Halve the papaya, removing the inner pulp.
- Use a knife or a multi-functional shredder to cut the papaya into strands. Next, wash it again and let it drain.
- Soak the papaya in water mixed with tartaric acid for about 30 minutes. This step will make the candy crispier.
- Boil water and cook the papaya for about 3 – 5 minutes, then soak it in cold water for approximately 15 minutes. Remove and let it drain.
Image: Collection
Step 2: Marinate the papaya
- Place the cleaned papaya in a clean basin, add sugar, and mix well. Ensure a balanced sugar quantity to avoid the final product being too sweet or bland. Typically, the papaya-to-sugar ratio is 1:1.
- Put the papaya basin in the refrigerator for about 4 – 5 hours to allow the sugar to dissolve and permeate evenly into the papaya.
- Finely cut the pandan leaves and grind them in a blender with 50ml of filtered water.
Note: The longer you marinate, the crispier and more flavorful the papaya will be.
Image: Collection
Step 3: Caramelize the green papaya candy
It is advisable to use a pot with a thick base to prevent the candy from burning during the caramelization process.
- Take the papaya marinated with sugar from the refrigerator, then strain the syrup into the pot.
- Bring the sugar to a boil over high heat, then add the papaya and gently stir.
- Pour the pandan leaf juice mixture and mix well to give the papaya a beautiful green color.
- When the mixture starts boiling vigorously, reduce the heat to medium. Continuously stir to ensure the sugar is evenly absorbed into the candy and prevent burning.
Final product after processing
With the method of making chewy green papaya candy strands as described above, the finished product showcases an appealing green color. Each strand of candy is chewy, offering a delightful crispness along with the pleasant aroma of vanilla.
Image: Collection
You might also be interested:
- Delicious Tet Dishes from Northern Vietnam
3. How to Make Preserved Green Papaya Slices
Alongside the shredded papaya, sliced preserved green papaya is also an interesting suggestion for you. Unlike the crunchy shredded version, these green papaya slices lack the crispiness but offer a chewy and moist texture. Let's get started on preparing them!
Prepare the ingredients
- Papaya: 500g
- Sugar: 500g
- Salt
- Slaked lime water
- Vanilla essential oil
How to Make Preserved Green Papaya Slices
Step 1: Prepare the papaya
- Similar to making shredded papaya preserves, gently puncture the entire surface of the fruit before scraping off the latex.
- After removing the latex, cut out the core and seeds inside.
- Cut the prepared papaya into small rectangular pieces. Soak the papaya pieces in a dilute saltwater solution for a few minutes.
- Soak the papaya in slaked lime water for about 4 hours. After the soaking time, rinse the papaya with water to remove any lime residue.
Note: To eliminate the lime odor from the papaya, boil water and pour it over the papaya.
Step 2: Marinate the papaya
- Place the papaya in a clean bowl and marinate it with sugar at a 1:1 ratio. You can adjust the sugar quantity according to your family's taste preferences.
Step 3: String the preserves
- String the papaya preserves over low heat, turning them evenly by hand. Start with high heat initially, reducing it when sugar syrup is left during soaking.
- Continuously turn until the sugar forms a white layer covering the papaya slices. Add 2-3 drops of vanilla, then turn off the heat.
- If you prefer drier preserves, place the stringed preserves in the microwave at 100°C for approximately 15 minutes.
Finished Product After Processing
And there you have it – the finished preserved green papaya slices. The pieces are sweet, tender, and just chewy enough. Enjoy a few pieces of these preserves with a cup of fragrant tea during Tet – there's nothing better.
Photo: Compiled
4. How to Make Preserved Green Papaya Without Tamarind
If you prefer not to use tamarind in your preserved green papaya, then consider the following recipe. With this method, you can easily prepare this delightful treat at home with simple ingredients.
Prepare the ingredients
- 1 green papaya: about 900g
- Sugar: 300g
- Salt: 1 tablespoon
- Pandanus leaves: 3 stalks
How to Make Preserved Green Papaya Without Tamarind
Step 1: Prepare the papaya
- Follow the same process as in the previous two recipes. During this step, ensure the removal of all latex, core, and seeds from the papaya to guarantee the dish's quality.
- Use a knife to cut into pieces or shred the papaya according to your preference.
Step 2: Soak the papaya
- Place the papaya in a clean basin. Add salt, mix well, and soak for about 2 hours to allow the salt to penetrate the papaya.
- After 2 hours, add clean water, submerge the papaya, and soak for an additional 30 minutes.
- Rinse the papaya with clean water.
- Continue changing the water and soaking the papaya for another 30 minutes. Repeat this process of soaking and draining with water until the papaya loses its saltiness, then drain it in a basket.
Step 3: Marinate the papaya with sugar
- Place sugar and papaya in a clean basin. Marinate the papaya and sugar in the refrigerator for about 5 hours to allow the papaya to absorb the sugar and achieve a firm texture.
Step 4: String the preserved green papaya
- Boil the sugar syrup for marinating the papaya over high heat.
- Add the papaya, stir well until the mixture boils vigorously, then reduce the heat to medium. Add pandanus leaves and simmer for about 10 minutes to infuse fragrance. Roll the pandanus leaves tightly to avoid sticking to the papaya when stringing the preserves.
- Continue stringing the papaya until the sugar thickens, and the edges of the pan have white, dry sugar patches. Reduce the heat to the lowest setting, stir well.
- After some time of stringing the papaya, you'll see the sugar coating on the papaya drying. Keep stringing until the papaya also dries, then turn off the heat.
Finished Product After Processing
The preserved green papaya not only delights in flavor but also presents beautifully. With its sweet, chewy texture and eye-catching color, it's a perfect suggestion bringing the rich traditional Tet flavor of Vietnam.
Photo: Compiled
5. Some Tips for Making Preserved Green Papaya
In addition to the steps mentioned, here are some general tips for making the best-preserved green papaya.
Tips for Choosing Papaya
- Choose ripe but firm papayas, freshly harvested with firm flesh.
- Opt for heavy papayas with sticky stems. These will have thicker flesh and fewer seeds.
- Avoid buying overly green or overly ripe papayas.
Some Additional Tips
- When soaking the papaya in water, immerse the entire surface to prevent discoloration upon contact with air.
- You can add color to the papaya by soaking it with pandanus leaf-infused water. The preserves will have a much more attractive green hue.
- Allow the preserves to cool completely before storing to prevent them from becoming watery. Store them in a airtight glass jar or nylon bag. If using a jar, add a layer of sugar on top to absorb moisture from the preserves.
Here, Mytour has suggested 3 ways to make preserved green papaya that are widely chosen. Choose your favorite type of preserves and get ready for a sweet Tet season with your loved ones!
Explore more recipes for preserves:
- How to Make Soft Plum Preserves
- 3 Ways to Make Persimmon Preserves
