Raw papaya salad- Som Tam {Vegan}

RAW PAPAYA SALAD- SOM TAM

I love Thai food. It's one of the healthiest cuisine. It's bursting with flavours, light on stomach and totally uncomplicated to make. Raw Papaya Salad is made using shredded raw papaya which combines sweet, spicy, salty and sour flavour. More popularly known by it's Thai name Som Tam, this salad first originated in Laos. In Laos, this salad is called Tam maak hoong and is one of the traditional staples there.

Reason why I love this salad so much is the party of flavours that happens in my mouth. Whenever you crave for something sweet, salty, spicy and sour at the same time, this salad is what you should eat! Eating raw papaya might sound a little bizarre but there is zero element of bizarreness once you make and taste it. It is that delicious!! 

This salad is made by lightly pounding all the ingredients together, a technique which helps release all the juices and flavours.

INGREDIENTS (Serves 2)

• Raw Papaya- 1 cup (shredded)
• Carrots- 1/2 cup (shredded)
• Tomato-1 (thinly sliced)
• Garlic - 2 large cloves
• Light soy- 2 tbsp
• Green chilli- 1/2
• Juice of one lemon
• Palm sugar/Jaggery/ Sugar- 1 tsp
• Salt
• Roasted peanuts -for garnish

METHOD

• Roast some peanuts and crush coarsely. Keep aside.

• In a mortar and pestle, add garlic, chilli, salt, jaggery and pound together .

• Mix this dressing with raw papaya, carrots,tomato and lemon juice by pounding lightly in a vessel.

• Adjust seasoning. Be careful about adding more chillies because pounding makes them very spicy. (My mouth was on fire by adding just one green chilli)

• Chill and serve.

Have a healthy day!

Love

Nishu

Wish to try another Thai dish?? Try my easy and quick recipe of "Path Thai"