Green Papaya Casserole

This is a main dish that uses green papayas. The first time I served it to a group everyone couldn't quite figure out what the main ingredient was AND they were going back for a 2nd serving. It is great for using up that abundance of green papayas one has from trees in the yard. Leftovers are good in the morning.....just crack an egg in your portion and heat it up as you might leftover Chinese.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Yields: 1 Casserole

Ingredients

• 4  cups papayas, peeled and diced (can be half ripe)
• 3⁄4 cup carrot, shredded (or calabaza)
• 1⁄2 cup onion, chopped
• 8  tablespoons butter
• 2 1⁄4 cups  stuffing cubes, herbed (just tear and dry old bread and season, maybe basil, thyme, cilantro, sage, etc.)
• 1⁄2 cup plain yogurt
• 1  cup broth (chicken is good)
• 1  tablespoon butter
• 1⁄2 cup celery, chopped
•  salt
•  pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Cook papaya in a little boiling water until tender. Drain well.
3. Cook celery, onions and carrots in butter until tender. Add broth, stuffing cubes and yogurt.
4. Mix in papaya.
5. Bake for 20 minutes, until heated through.
6. If you have it and want, add panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese on the top and broil for the last 5-7 minutes.