Filipino Green Papaya Atchara (Pickled Green Papaya)

I am a chef on a luxury world cruise liner. I love to cook and write recipes that are inspired by foods from all over the world.

In the Philippines, papaya is a popular and common fruit. Ripe papaya, of course, can be eaten fresh—but unripe papaya can be used in both cooked and pickled dishes. In this recipe, I made a simple version of pickled papaya, or papaya atchara.

Cook Time

Ingredients

For green papaya:

• 5 cups green papaya, shredded
• 2 small bell pepper, julienned
• 1 medium carrots, sliced
• 3/4 cups raisins

For the pickling solution:

• 2 inches ginger, julienned
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 cups vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground

For the brining solution:

• 5 cups water
• 4 tablespoons salt

Utensils

For preparation:

• 2 large bowls
• 5 medium bowls
• 1 small plate
• cheese grater
• measuring cups
• measuring spoons
• chopping board
• knife

For cooking:

• pot
• wire whisk

For storage:

• container

Instructions

1. Prepare the brining solution: Combine 5 cups of water and 4 tablespoons of salt in a bowl. Stir until the salt is totally diluted.
2. Pour the brining solution into a container and add the shredded green papaya. Cover and refrigerate for 3 days.
3. Using a strainer or cheesecloth, drain the papaya from the brining solution.
4. In a bowl, toss the green papaya, raisins, and vegetables. Set aside and refrigerate.
5. Make the pickling solution: Heat the vinegar in a pot. Stir in the sugar and salt and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat. Allow it to cool down.
6. In a container, combine the vegetables and pickling solution and then cover.
7. Transfer the atchara mixture to sterilized jars. Refrigerate for 2 to 3 days to allow the flavors to fully absorb.

Tips and Techniques

• Pickling time: Allow the papaya to absorb all of the flavors of the pickling juice for at least one day before serving.
• Vinegar: Choose any vinegar of your choice. Just make sure to taste the vinegar first before adding to the papaya pickling mixture in order to make the any adjustments.
• Sugar: Adjust the amount of sugar if using sweetened raisins.
• Food pairing: Serve with fried foods or grilled foods.

More Delicious Pickled Fruits and Vegetables

• How to Make Pickled Hawaiian Mangoes (Burong Mangga)
  Try this recipe for sweet, tangy, and spicy pickled Hawaiian mangoes, known as burong mangga in the Philippines.
• How to Make Pickled Cucumbers for Burgers
  Pickled cucumber is a popular condiment in dishes such as burgers. Let me show a quick recipe for making pickled cucumbers at home.

© 2021 Travel Chef

Comments

Travel Chef (author) from Manila on March 19, 2021:

Hi Eman,

Pickled green papaya is a popular side dish here in the Philippines. It is usually paired with roasted chicken. I hope you will be able to try it.

Eman Abdallah Kamel from Egypt on March 18, 2021:

It is the first time for me to read about pickled green papaya. I think it's worth a try. Thank you,dredcuan for sharing