Papaya

Christopher Columbus discovered Papaya, extraordinary 'fruit of the angels', in the 15th century when he first set foot in the Caribbean. Now Hilary Roots takes you along her discovery of the same amazing Papaya, or Pawpaw, as it's known in some countries. Her fortuitous encounter with French-influenced 'Sam' set her on a culinary quest lasting more than twenty years.

Discover for yourself some 70 recipes using papaya, ripe or green, raw or cooked. Try it as a fruit or a health-giving vegetable. Find it in most markets and gardens throughout the Pacific, and elsewhere in tropical or sub-tropical regions.

New Zealand-born journalist and traveller, Hilary Roots, has lived on Isle of Pines in New Caledonia (www.isle-ofpines.com) since 1975. Sometime English teacher, she writes and is involved in tourism, and in 2022 she wrote a memoir, ONE ROSE IN BALI.

Illustrations are by Caledonian-Tahitian artist Pascale Taurua, and the late Margaret Preston.