Preparing Som Tom...preparing the Papaya??

Question

So I finally found Green Papaya in an Asian Shop. It seems to have thick skin, am I supposed to peel it to get to the flesh? I plan to use a shredder or peeler for the flesh.

I know the rest of the recipe. I know this sounds lame but want to confirm first before ruining it.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Well, I used to date a girl from Esan who had been making Som Tom here whole life and she refused to use a shredder. She said it made the pieces to small.

The way she did it was to first peel the Papaya (yes with a peeler) then she would take a knife and tap it (fairly hard) with the knife long ways. After she had several long verticle cuts in the fruit she would then slice off some of the flesh and it would be in perfect sized strands.

I don't know if my description helps, you sort of have to see it done. I found this on youtube. It's a pretty good demonstration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHcu0MK7Z...

Good luck, save me some.  

Answer 2

peel it to get the flesh