Papayas

Preparation

1. Bland

   Step 1

   Sprinkle with a splash of citrus juice, a bit of sugar, and a touch of rum!

2. Overripe

   Step 2

   You can keep a papaya in the refrigerator to slow its ripening, but if it’s already too soft, purée it and use it in ice cream, in a custard, in a marinade (papaya contains a meat-tenderizing enzyme), or on your morning yogurt. (Don’t forget that the seeds are edible, too. Blend them into a salad dressing.)

3. Unripe

   Step 3

   Close up papayas in a brown paper bag to help them ripen more quickly.