Papaya Seed Vinaigrette Dressing
Don’t throw away those seeds! Papaya seeds are good for you, and delicious drizzled over a salad in this Papaya Seed Vinaigrette Dressing.
Don’t throw away those seeds! Papaya seeds are good for you, and delicious drizzled over a salad in this Papaya Seed Vinaigrette Dressing.
On our last day in Hawaii, I stepped onto our lanai, the floor beneath me still toasty from the sun’s intense gaze that day. I dropped into the chair, ate some melting ice cream and waited for the sun to begin its farewell. The sunrises and the sunsets are my favorite thing to do when I am on island time – perhaps because time is all mine when on vacation. There is nothing holding me back from spending an hour watching the sun dip lower into the ocean, peeking behind clouds that are tinged with brilliant orange purples, until nothing is left but darkness. The luxury of each minute is something I savor when we go away.
There is actually more to savor, than just time. Each moment with my family is something I cherish, each meal, each sip of good Kona coffee. I make it a point to enjoy fish for every possible meal, and to eat my fill of papayas and mangoes.
Papaya Seed Vinaigrette Dressing
But I learned something new on this trip. I never realized, until recently, that papaya seeds are edible! All these years, those mysterious looking seeds went straight into the garbage (now compost), and now I am making up for lost time.
When I returned home, I wanted to recreate the Papaya Seed Vinaigrette that accompanied my salads, and I marveled at how the seeds, with their light bitterness, worked so nicely, along with fresh papaya, into this salad dressing. There may no longer be time for lazy sunsets and farewells to each day, but I can capture the island feel in a bottle of dressing. It should hold me over for a while…at least until we plan the next vacation.
Eat Seasonal
It’s that time again! July has brought its bounty, and I am joining Becky from Vintage Mixer and our friends to share dishes that embrace eating seasonal! Check out the seasonal food guide and these recipes for more #EatSeasonal inspiration.
Recipes for July
Quick Pickled Strawberries with Black Pepper and Tarragon by Simple Bites
Pea and Arugula Pesto by Floating Kitchen
Creamy Grilled Corn Pasta by Completely Delicious
Chocolate Strawberry Protein Smoothie by The Lemon Bowl
Crispy Chicken & Cucumber Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette by Climbing Grier Mountain
Healthy Zucchini Muffins by Gimme Some Oven
Fresh Corn Salad by Bless this Mess
Apricot Glazed Chicken by Vintage Mixer
Spinach Pesto by Mountain Mama Cooks
Baked Zucchini Fries with Pesto Yogurt Dipping Sauce by Cookin’ Canuck
Peach Salad with Grilled Chicken and Raspberries by Well Plated
Poached Beets with Star Anise and Cinnamon by Project Domestication
Strawberry Fields Panzanella Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Vinaigrette by Flavor the Moments
How to Make Arugula Pesto by FoodieCrush
Papaya Seed Vinaigrette Dressing
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup fresh papaya cut in cubes
- 3 tablespoons papaya seeds and pulp
- 4 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon agave nectar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1/3 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Place papaya, papaya seeds and pulp in a blender and puree until smooth.
- Add the vinegar, agave nectar, Dijon mustard, ginger, salt and pepper and blend.
- Add the olive oil and blend again. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.
Just made it; should it be refrigerated
Hi Tamoy! Yes, the papaya dressing should be stored in the refrigerator.
Why is there saturated fat in this recipe? It is totally animal free.
Hi Kelly, olive oil still contains saturated fat, but the good news is that there is no trans fat! If you’d like to learn more about olive oil, I share it in my Olive Oil for Cooking: Olive Oil 101 post!
I live on The Big Island and always have papayas in my kitchen. It’s so delicious!
Use it for chicken salads and well as a flaky fish like monchong.
That is the one thing I have to eat every time I visit Hawaii — how I wish I could have papayas all the time! Please enjoy them for me, I can’t wait until I can visit again and enjoy the amazing papayas there!
Omg it’s soooooooo delicious i changed it up i put buckwheat honey !!!! Apple cider vinaigrette Wow
QUestion. How long does it keep?……..
Thank u for the inspiration
So glad you liked it, Gail! The dressing should last a week in the refrigerator!
This turned out great, perfect substitute for a mayo dressing. I added a bit more maple syrup to sweeten it.
How long this will last?
Hi Whitlyn! The dressing should last about a week in the fridge. Hope that helps!
This looks very tasty! I log everything I eat into a Diet Program so I’m wondering whether you have seen NUTRITION FACTS for Papaya Seed. Please provide NUTRITION FACTS with your recipe if possible. Thanks.
Hi Kathy, it is so challenging finding the nutritional values for papaya seeds specifically. I have added the nutrition facts for the recipe to the best of my ability, but without specific values from the USDA on papaya seeds, it is not as accurate as I would hope! If I ever obtain the values, I will be sure to update!
How nice to have a taste of the tropics with every bite of salad dressed with your fabulous vinaigrette
This vinaigrette looks tropical and scrumptious!
Love it! Do you know how long it’s good for?
Good question! In general, I keep homemade vinaigrettes stored in the refrigerator for a week. But I usually use them up way before then.
Liren, I had no idea you could eat papaya seeds and am totally intrigued! This dressing sounds like a great way to use them. I’m also wishing I could be lounging on a Hawaiian beach right about now :)
I need to go to Hawaii and I need this dressing!
It’s looks delicious and I’m always seeking new ways to mix up my salad.
Your trip looked amazing! And this vinaigrette looks tropical and scrumptious!
This is news to me, too! How nice to have a taste of the tropics with every bite of salad dressed with your fabulous vinaigrette.
This is fascinating!! What a fun idea to make a dressing from the seeds! And your trip sounded and looked magical!
I loved seeing all your pics from your Hawaii trip. It looked so amazing! And Traci from Vanilla and Bean and I were just talking the other day about what could be done with papaya seeds and HERE YOU ARE with this recipe! This is so awesome. Definitely going to try it out soon!
Hawaii is for sure on my bucket list! I love poppyseed dressings, but have never had papaya seeds…this sounds so tasty!