Vegan Papaya Salad (Som Tum)
This vibrant and refreshing vegan papaya salad, known as Som Tum, features a delightful balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. Shredded green papaya is tossed with crunchy vegetables and a zesty lime-chili dressing. It's a light yet satisfying dish perfect for a warm day.
An original recipe by Forkin
- Total time
- 20 min
- Serves
- 2
- Difficulty
- Medium
Allergen information: may contain gluten, peanuts, and soy. Always check ingredient packaging if you have an allergy.
Mise en place
Ingredients
Converted for display; the recipe amounts stay equivalent.
Ingredients
- 300 ggreen papaya, shredded
- 50 gcarrot, shredded
- 50 ggreen bean, halved
- 100 gcherry tomato, halved
dressing
- 1 clovegarlic, minced
- 1 pcsthai chili, minced
- 3 tbsplime juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tbsppalm sugar, grated
- 1.5 tbspsoy sauce, light
garnish
- 2 tbsproasted peanut, roughly chopped
Equipment
vegetable peeler or shredder · knife · cutting board · mortar and pestle
The method
Step by step
- 1
Prepare the vegetables by shredding the green papaya and carrot, halving the green beans, and halving the cherry tomatoes.
About 5 min
Cook’s note: If you don't have a specific papaya shredder, you can use a julienne peeler or a sharp knife to create thin strips.
- 2
In a large mortar and pestle, add the garlic and thai chili.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Adjust the number of chilies to your preferred spice level.
- 3
Pound the garlic and chili until a coarse paste forms.
About 2 min
- 4
Add the lime juice, palm sugar, and soy sauce to the mortar.
- 5
Pound and stir gently until the palm sugar dissolves and the dressing is well combined.
About 2 min
- 6
Add the green beans and cherry tomatoes to the mortar and gently bruise them with the pestle.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Don't over-pound; you want them slightly crushed, not mashed.
- 7
Add the shredded green papaya and carrot to the mortar.
- 8
Using a spoon and the pestle, gently mix and bruise the papaya mixture, ensuring all ingredients are coated with the dressing.
About 3 min
Cook’s note: The goal is to gently soften the papaya and incorporate the flavors without turning it into a mush.
- 9
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding more lime juice, palm sugar, or soy sauce to balance the flavors.
About 1 min
- 10
Transfer the papaya salad to serving plates and garnish with roasted peanuts.
About 1 min
Cook’s note: Serve immediately for best texture and freshness.
Keep it good
Store leftover papaya salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
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