Papaya Seed Dressing

Most of the time when we eat papaya fruit, we throw away the the little black seeds. Did you know that these little black seeds are highly beneficial and have the ability to prevent and possibly cure a plethora of ailments related to the liver, kidney, gut, and intestinal worms. This dressing acts as a digestive enzyme in the body, helps to ward off disease in the body, lubricates the joints and definitely satisfies the soul.

You can use Papaya Seed Dressing as a vegetable dip or a marinade for meat, fish or chicken. It can also be used instead of mayonnaise for pita wraps and sandwiches. Papaya Seed Dressing is a vital component to good nutrition. It is extremely therapeutic and beneficial for optimum health and performance.

There are two types of papayas, Hawaiian and Mexican. The Hawaiian varieties are the papayas commonly found in supermarkets. These pear-shaped fruit generally weigh about 1 pound and have yellow skin when ripe. The flesh is bright orange or pinkish, depending on variety, with small black seeds clustered in the center. The flesh may be yellow, orange or pink.

A properly ripened papaya is juicy, sweetish and somewhat like a cantaloupe in flavor, although musky in some types. The fruit (and leaves) contain papain which helps digestion and is used to tenderize meat. The edible seeds have a spicy flavor somewhat reminiscent of black pepper.

Collaborating chemists in Italy and Somalia identified 18 amino acids in papaya seeds, principally, in descending order of abundance, glutamic acid, arginine, proline, and aspartic acid in the endosperm; and proline, tyrosine, lysine, aspartic acid, and glutamic acid in the sarcotesta.

Papaya is a fair source of iron and calcium; a good source of carotenoids, flavonoids and vitamin B-complex, and an excellent source of vitamin C.

Papaya Seed Dressing

Makes approximately 4 cups In a blender add:

• 1 cup (250 ml) extra virgin olive oil
• ½ cup (125 ml) juice from freshly squeezed lemon
• 2 Tablespoons (30ml) Dijon mustard
• 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) unpasteurized honey -3-6 cloves of garlic (or more if desired)
• One small sweet onion peeled cut into small pieces
• ½ large papaya meat
• 2 Tablespoons papaya seeds
• Sea salt and crushed pepper (optional)

Directions

Blend ingredients until smooth and creamy. Taste. If you like it tarter add more lemon juice, if you like it oilier add more oil. You can use apple cider vinegar instead of lemon juice, however, apple cider vinegar is tarter so only add ¼ cup. You can also use flax or hemp seed oil as a substitute for olive oil.

This dressing can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. For best results store in a glass jar with a screw top lid. Prior to using, take out of the refrigerator for ½ hour and shake vigorously to liquefy the dressing and bring out the flavor.

Papaya Seed Dressing is a meal in itself, in a pinch all you need is lettuce and top with dressing. Enjoy!

Photo by Tamara Chemij from Burst

Bon Appetite!...TKH