Green Papaya Salad

Thailand

Also known as Som Tam, Tam Mak Hoong

About Green Papaya Salad

Green Papaya Salad, known as som tam in Thailand, is a spicy, sour, salty and slightly sweet salad of shredded unripe papaya pounded in a mortar with chilies, garlic, lime juice, fish sauce and palm sugar.

Tomatoes, long beans, dried shrimp and roasted peanuts are often added. Pounding bruises the papaya so it absorbs the dressing while staying crunchy.

The salad comes from Laos and the Isan region of north-east Thailand, where it is often made with fermented fish sauce (pla ra). It is served with sticky rice and grilled chicken.

Ingredients

• Green papaya
• carrot
• lime
• peanuts
• fish sauce
• green beans