Raw papaya Kootu/ Papaya curry

Papaya is a nutritious fruit which is known for its goodness and richness in terms of nutrients. Like ripe ones, it can also be edible when raw and which is equally good too. Raw papaya can be used in making palya, curry, salad without cooking and even halwa. Look for my recipe of green papayasalad.

In today’s post, I am sharing recipe of papaya kootu or we call it as bendi. It goes well with rice & a dollop of ghee or with roti.

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 15 minutes

Serves: 3-4

Ingredients:

Small raw papaya – ½ (or 2 cups of cubed pieces)

Tur dal – ¼ cup

Freshly grated coconut – ½ cup

Dry Red Chilli – 2-3

Cumin seeds – 1 tsp

Tamarind – ½ tsp

Jaggery – 1.5 tsp

Salt – to taste

Turmeric powder – a pinch

Red chilli powder – ½ tsp (optional)

Coconut oil – 2 tsp

Mustard seeds – 1 tsp

Urad dal – 1 tsp

Curry leaves – 1 sprig

Method:

• Wash and cook tur dal using a pressure cooker for 3 whistles. Let the pressure to settle down.
• Meanwhile, wash and cut the papaya into 2 halves. Now slit it lengthwise and peel the outer skin and remove the central part with seeds.
• Wash it once with running water to remove the sticky gel which makes it difficult to cut.
• Cut into cubes of about an inch.
• Cook papaya pieces in a vessel with water, adding salt, jaggery and turmeric powder. Or you can add it to the cooked dal and cook for one more whistle. Make sure to cook papaya till tender, but still firm. It should not turn mushy.
• Take a separate pan, fry cumin seeds and 2 of dry red chillis with few drops of oil until they leave out nice fried aroma.
• Add grated coconut and fry for couple of minutes.
• Take these fried ingredients in a mixer jar when it is cool. Grind it to make a smooth paste adding required water and tamarind.
• When papaya is cooked, add ground paste. Mix everything and boil well.
• Switch off the heat.
• Prepare a tadka/ seasoning of mustard, urad dal and minced dry red chilli in coconut oil. On spluttering, add cleaning curry leaves and add it to the curry.
• Serve with hot steamed rice and ghee.

*Note:
It is suggested to avoid eating raw papaya cooked or uncooked for pregnant woman.