Papaya Salad

Papaya salad, also known as Som Tum or Green Papaya Salad, is a refreshing and vibrant dish that is popular in Southeast Asian cuisine, particularly in Thailand, and is one of the best street foods in Orlando. It is a salad made primarily with green, unripe papaya, which is shredded and mixed with a combination of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors.

To make papaya salad, a green papaya is peeled and grated or julienned into thin strips. The papaya strands are then combined with other ingredients to create a flavorful and well-balanced salad. The dressing typically includes lime juice, fish sauce, palm sugar, and chili peppers. These ingredients provide the sweet, sour, salty, and spicy elements that are characteristic of Thai cuisine.

Additional ingredients are often added to enhance the flavors and textures of the salad. This can include cherry tomatoes, green beans, carrots, peanuts, garlic, and sometimes dried shrimp or crab. The salad is usually tossed together vigorously, allowing the ingredients to meld and the flavors to combine.

The result is a refreshing and colorful salad that offers a balance of flavors. The tartness of the lime juice, the umami of the fish sauce, the sweetness of the palm sugar, and the heat from the chili peppers create a harmonious taste. The crunchy texture of the papaya, peanuts, and vegetables adds a pleasant contrast.

Papaya salad is commonly served as a side dish or appetizer in Thai cuisine. It is often enjoyed with grilled meats, seafood, or sticky rice. The combination of the spicy and tangy flavors of the salad pairs well with other dishes, making it a popular choice in Thai restaurants and street food stalls.