Papaya Salad (Som Tum Thai)
Greg Schroeder
This is another salad that satisfies the refined tastes of the people in the Central region. This version uses sour and sweet as the principle flavors; fresh poached seafood such as prawns can top the dish to heighten its status. Roasted peanuts provide extra texture and crunchiness as a perfect addition to this popular dish.
ingredients
- 1 whole green papaya, about 1 pound (sliced into 2 cups matchsticks)
- 1 whole medium carrot (sliced into 1 cup matchsticks)
- 3 tablespoons chopped garlic
- 2 tablespoons minced Thai chilies, more or less to taste
- 1 cup long beans or green beans, cut 2-inch long
- 1 cup seeded and diced tomato, 1/2-inch cubes
- 1/2 cup chopped roasted peanuts
- 1/4 cup lime juice, more to taste
- 1/4 cup fish sauce nam pla, more to taste
- 3 tablespoons finely grated or melted palm sugar namtan peep, more to taste
- 1 head lettuce, cleaned and separated, for accompaniment
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