Ripe papaya

[yamsy]

I bought a papaya 4 days ago --- it's green, green, green and not changing. I get the feeling it may rot before it ripens. Are they edible if still green? I found this pic and if that is ripe papaya, it'll be a long time coming. Mine is more like the one on the right. I'm anxious to try it!!

http://i1.tinypic.com/s4mo8y.jpg

[RawTruth]

What kind of papaya is it? The really giant Mexican papayas aren't ripe until they get smooshy black spots on them. But, the smaller ones are ripe when they're yellow colored and give a little when pressed with your fingers.

It may take days of sitting out!

[wyjoz]

Juliano's book has a GREEN papaya salad, I made it several times and it's delicious. I did not have some of the items that were listed but checked a SAD version of the recipe and managed to make it delicious. Making another one for tomorrow.

Frederic has a GREEn papaya smoothie!

[yamsy]

Here's the real thing---

http://i1.tinypic.com/s4ngut.jpg

It's about 10 inches long.

wyjoz, I'm too lazy to make a recipe. :D But thanks! I just want to see what they taste like.

RawTruth, my kitchen is on the cool side. Would it help for it to be in a warmer place? I'll be patient.

::taps fingers::

[RawTruth]

. . . is that it may never ripen. Sigh.

Here's the 411 on it from http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/foods_view/1,1523,60,00.html:

Papayas are picked when firm-ripe to help them survive long-distance shipping to market and frequently sold partially ripe. Papayas turn from green to yellow-orange as they ripen, so you should choose fruits that are at least half yellow; the color change begins at the bottom and progresses toward the stem end. Papayas that are completely green with no tinge of yellow have been picked too soon and may never ripen properly.

Fully ripe papayas are three-quarters to totally yellow or yellow-orange; they will give slightly when pressed gently between your palms, but should not be soft and mushy at the stem end. The skin should be smooth, unbruised, and unshriveled, but light, superficial blemishes may be disregarded. Uncut papayas have no aroma; cut papayas should smell fragrant and sweet, not harsh or fermented.


Storage

A papaya that is one-quarter to one-third yellow will ripen in two to four days if left at room temperature: Place it in a paper bag with a banana to hasten ripening. Transfer ripe papayas to a plastic bag and store in the refrigerator. They will keep for up to a week, but the delicate flavor fades, so use them within a day or two, if possible.

[yamsy]

Wooo -- great info. Thank you RawTruth. Well, I'll put it in a warmer spot and give it every chance. In the meantime, I'll look for a riper one.

[karenisraw]

I bought a huge green papaya one time and it never ripened. I began to get rubbery. I opened it and it was tasteless and bitter. I would not buy anymore unless they are pretty soft.

k
:)

[Jackie1995]

I just bought one a few days ago, it had started turning yellow in the store. I put it on a plate on the counter, with bananas next to it. It started getting yellow pretty fast after a few days.

I had an idea it might be the bananas helping it along!

Looking forward to this delightful addition to my smoothies!

[cdepalmer]

RawTruth,
The papaya that I bought was ripe the produce guy helped me pick it and when I opened it, it smelled funny. It was not to soft. What do they smell like?
Cindy