Hawaiian Papaya Seeds Make a Wonderful Meat Tenderizer and Spice

The benefits of the Hawaiian Papaya fruit are known for effectively aiding in digestion, and can soothe an upset stomach when the fruit is eaten or when taken as a juice. However, did you also know that the papaya seeds are very useful as a meat tenderizer and as a spice?

After you are through eating your delicious and healthy Hawaiian papayas full of Vitamin A, don't throw away the papaya seeds! The papaya fruit and papaya seeds are a prime source of an enzyme called papain that breaks down protein. This active tenderizing ingredient is a protein-digesting enzyme which is very similar to human stomach pepsin. Papain powder made from papayas and other fruits are sold as brand name meat tenderizers.

To make your own natural meat tenderizer, you can use fresh papaya seeds or dry papaya seeds -- just wash the seeds and spread them on a paper towel in a plate, then set the plate on a sunny window sill to dry for a few days. This is how we did it in our family when I was growing up, but I suppose a food dehydrator would also work.

My father -- the cook in the family -- would use papaya seeds to tenderize tough cuts of meat. This is how he did it. First, use a mortar and pestle or spice grinder to grind the papaya seeds. Rub the ground papaya seeds on your cheap tough piece of steak or other cut of meat on both sides, and then put it in the fridge for an hour or two until you are ready to cook it. You can also add the ground up papaya seeds to your meat's marinade sauce. The longer it is on your meat or in your marinade sauce, the more tender your meat will become; but you may want to test the timing, if you leave the papaya seeds on too long your meat will turn to mush.

As a spice, you can add your dry papaya seeds to your pepper grinder, they have a peppery taste but as a bonus can also aid in your digestion at the same time.

Don't forget, we can ship fresh Hawaiian Papayas to the mainland to you or your loved ones for a special and healthy gift treat.

Comments

[Sheila]

That's a great tip. I'd like to give it a try. (By the way, my dad was the main cook of the house, too.)

[HawaiiVacationGifts]

Sheila, please share the results with us when you do!