Thai Green Papaya Salad (Som Tam): ส้มตำ
Som Tam, or Thai papaya salad, is a refreshing dish that features grated raw papaya as its main ingredient. This vibrant salad is a delightful combination of flavors—sour, salty, and spicy—making it extremely popular among Thai people, especially in the northeastern region where they enjoy a spicier profile. In the central region, the salad is often prepared with a sweeter and more balanced flavor. Som Tam is typically served with side dishes like grilled catfish, grilled chicken, rice noodles, and an array of fresh vegetables.
Ingredients (Serves 1-2):
- 1 raw papaya
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 2-5 hot chilies (Thai red or green)
- 2 medium tomatoes (or 3-5 cherry tomatoes)
- 2 tbsp roasted peanuts
- 1 long green bean, sliced
- 1 carrot, grated
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 tbsp palm sugar (or regular sugar)
- Salt (to taste)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Vegetables:
- Clean the raw papaya and carrot. Use a papaya peeler to peel both the papaya and carrot. Then, shred the papaya into thin strips using a grater or a vegetable peeler.
- Slice Additional Ingredients:
- Wash the fresh tomatoes and long beans. Slice the long beans and tomatoes into bite-sized pieces. If using cherry tomatoes, you can leave them whole.
- Pound Garlic and Chilies:
- In a mortar, pound the garlic and chilies together with a pinch of salt until they are well mashed. Adjust the amount of chilies based on your desired spice level.
- Add Sugar and Green Beans:
- Add palm sugar (or regular sugar) to the mortar and continue to mash until the sugar dissolves. Then, add the sliced long beans and roasted peanuts, mixing well.
- Incorporate Tomatoes and Seasoning:
- Add the sliced tomatoes, lime juice, and fish sauce to the mixture. Stir well to combine all the flavors.
- Combine with Papaya and Carrot:
- Finally, add the grated papaya and shredded carrot to the mortar. Mix everything thoroughly, adjusting the flavors to your liking by adding more sugar, lime juice, or fish sauce as needed.
- Serve:
- Your Som Tam is ready to be enjoyed! Serve it as a refreshing salad alongside grilled meats or fresh vegetables for a complete meal.
This vibrant papaya salad is not only delicious but also nutritious, packed with fresh ingredients and bold flavors that capture the essence of Thai cuisine!