Pork Stuffed Papaya

Papaya may be used in either sweet or savory recipes. As the fruit and leaves contain an enzyme that tenderizes meat, it is an ideal fruit to use in savory dishes . For this dish, choose papayas with mottled green and yellow skins, as they should be slightly under-ripe.

• Ready In: 1 hr 25 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 2  papayas
• 2  tablespoons  vegetable oil
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped onion
• 1  large garlic clove, crushed
• 1  slice bacon, finely chopped
• 1  lb  ground lean pork
• 1  serrano chili pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• 1  tablespoon tomato paste
• 1⁄2 cup dry white wine
• 3⁄4 cup  peeled seeded and chopped tomato
•  salt and pepper
• 3  tablespoons  freshly grated parmesan cheese
• 1  tablespoon butter
• 2  cups tomato sauce (recipe below)
•  parsley, to garnish

• TOMATO SAUCE

• 5  tablespoons olive oil
• 3  garlic cloves, crushed
• 3  lbs  ripe tomatoes, quartered
• 2  teaspoons sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. FOR THE PAPAYAS: Peel the papayas, cut them in half lengthwise and remove the black seeds with a teaspoon. Parboil the fruit in gently boiling, salted water for 10 minutes, then drain upside down on paper towels.
2. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
3. Heat the oil in a large skillet and sauté the onion, garlic and bacon together until the onion is soft. Add the pork and chili and sauté until browned, stirring to break up the meat. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Pour over the white wine and stir in the tomatoes. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Season, remove from the heat and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
4. Grease a baking dish just large enough to hold the papaya shells and place them, cavity side up, in the dish. Pile the meat mixture into the center of each papaya.
5. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and dot with butter. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until the papaya is tender. Heat the tomato sauce and serve with the sauce poured around each papaya. Serves 4.
6. FOR THE TOMATO SAUCE: Heat the oil and sauté the garlic for 1 minute, stirring. Add the tomatoes and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Strain the tomatoes, using a soup ladle to push all the pulp through.
7. Return the pulp to the pan and simmer for 10 minutes, or until the sauce has reduced to the required consistency. Store for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator or freeze for up to 3 months. Makes about 1 ¼ quarts.
8. Harrods Cookery Book.