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Som Tum Thai (Green Papaya Salad)

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Som Tum Thai (Green Papaya Salad) is a zesty, refreshing Thai salad made with shredded unripe papaya, fresh vegetables, roasted peanuts, and a tangy-sweet dressing. It’s a perfect balance of spicy, sour, sweet, and salty flavors.

Ingredients

2 chilies, to taste

2 cloves garlic

3 yard long beans, cut into 1-inch pieces

3 tablespoons fish sauce

⅓ cup roasted peanuts

2 tablespoons palm sugar

¾ lime, sliced

3 cups green papaya, shredded

3 small tomatoes, halved

Instructions

  1. Peel the green papaya and shred it into thin slices using a julienne peeler or grater. Slice the limes and halve the tomatoes. Cut the yard long beans into 1-inch lengths.
  2. In a large mortar and pestle, lightly pound the garlic and chilies until they break down slightly, releasing their aroma.
  3. Add the long beans and gently pound them just enough to bruise and release their juices, keeping them crisp.
  4. Add the fish sauce, roasted peanuts, and palm sugar. Pound and stir to mix well. You can use a spoon to help blend the mixture.
  5. Squeeze in the fresh lime juice and toss in the lime peel. Add the shredded papaya and halved tomatoes. Gently pound and mix the ingredients until the papaya is well coated with the dressing.
  6. Serve immediately with extra peanuts or lime wedges if desired. Enjoy fresh for the best flavor and texture.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, substitute the fish sauce with a plant-based or mushroom-based alternative.

Adjust the chilies according to your spice tolerance—fewer for mild, more for extra spicy.

Add dried mini shrimp or grilled tofu for a protein boost.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://chocolatecoveredamy.com/som-tum-thai-green-papaya-salad/