Fresh Papaya Pie
Aloha.
Let’s talk about PIE! 🙂
Because we have an abundance of PAPAYAS growing on our property right about now, I decided to have some fun with a Papaya Pie. It came out DE-Licious, and (almost as important,) it was super easy to make. I could make this thing on the fly if I had to whip something up for company. And trust me–I’ll be doing that. The main requirement is plenty of papaya, which here in Hawaii is never a problem, but for those who don’t live in a tropical climate–HUNT THEM DOWN! Papayas ARE almost always available, you just have to look.
This pie is sweet and just a tad tart…The most refreshing finish to a holiday meal! It’s mostly a mound of fresh papaya, so feel free to call it health food.
Side/bragging note: One of my biggest issues with fruit pies is when they fall apart as soon as you cut them. I am so proud to announce that this Papaya Pie–held together extremely well.
I topped our pie with crushed macadamia nuts, which we also grow. Did you know that mac nuts have a double shell? The outer shell pulls off easily as they grow, but the inner shell is crazy hard. A regular nut-cracker will not suffice.
Until I find a specialty macadamia nut cracker, I’m just grateful for Dave and a hammer.
The sauce is a simple combination of orange juice (fresh squeezed is best,) the juice of one lemon, corn starch, and sugar. Easy peezy. Pour over, a cooked pie crust*, and then chill.
Here is the recipe, and I do hope your local grocery stores sell papayas so you can try it!
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FRESH PAPAYA (Nut) PIE
www.thegrommom.com
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup orange juice
juice of one small lemon (or 1 tablespoon lemon juice)
2 T. corn starch
1/4 cup sugar
3 cups cubed papaya
1 baked 9″ pie shell, OR crust of your choice*
whipped cream
1/2 cup chopped Macadamia Nuts, almonds or cashews
DIRECTIONS:
1. *Bake a pie shell, or use any type of shell you prefer. (next time I will try a gluten free shell, and I also think this pie would be excellent in a graham-cracker or other cookie crust.)
2. Cut approximately three large papayas into 1/2 inch cubes, removing all skin, and seeds.
Place them into the prepared pie shell, and set aside.
3. Blend orange juice, corn starch, sugar, and lemon, and heat slowly in saucepan, stirring constantly until thick and bubbly.
Let cool slightly.
4. Pour the heated sauce over the papaya cubes in the shell. Place in refrigerator, and chill thoroughly.
5. Serve with whipped cream and sprinkled with chopped nuts.
ENJOY!!
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Thank you for stopping by, and let me know if you give this a try! If you are a lover of all things tropical, you might want to check out my ZUCCHINI COCONUT-YOGURT BREAD, my PAPAYA COCONUT CAKE, or some TROPICAL GRANOLA.
Much Aloha,
Monica
I’ve put it together and chopped the nuts – the guys will have it for bible study in the morning! It looks good, and that sauce is amazing!! (Yes, I licked the bowl).
Yes, this pie sounds amazing! I’m passing this recipe on to my mom. She has papaya trees in her backyard and to my knowledge, has never made pie with them. Thanks for sharing!
Now you know that I am a Northern Girl through and through, but the shot of your papaya tree and all the fresh tropical fruit has me longing for the island lifestyle. I absolutely love papaya, and never in a million years thought to put it in a pie. Fresh fruit pies are some of my favorites. You’re so clever!
I’m buying a plane ticket right now so I can come sit on the beach and have a slice with you, Mon!! Gorgeous!
Your pie looks gorgeous!! It looks delicious AND it’s such a cheerful color! And what a fantastic idea for all of these terrific bloggers to host pie week the week before Thanksgiving! Looking forward to trying some new pies out on my familyin the coming weeks. Thank you!!!!
What a gorgeous pie! One of my favorite things about visiting Hawaii is all the tropical fruit that isn’t available on the main land. Like the pink spikey fruit…what is that called? I had never seen it until I visited Hawaii. Happy Pie Week!
Monica…I’m definitely going to be searching out some papaya this weekend! What absolutely luscious stuff! How very cool that you have macadamia nuts all over your property….I’m so envious! They are a perfect topping for this beautiful pie!
I love papayas! And I would have never thought to put them in a pie! Beautiful, Monica!
I love how you put a tropical spin on all our cooking collaborations, Monica! Your pie is lovely and looks so refreshing. Also important at the holidays – papaya is known to aid digestion, which makes this the perfect pie to try after you stuff your face on Turkey Day. Hooray for papaya enzymes! #science
PS – I totally jealous of your papaya bounty. We just planted our first papaya tree this summer, so it’s too soon for us to see fruit. Now that I’ve seen your pretty pie, I can’t wait for our first harvest! -j
OH MY GOSH I LOVE THIS!
I have to usually be in the right mood for pie, but anything that’s fruit-based like this one? All over it!
I’ve never thought of putting papaya in a pie. This intrigues me. Husband likes papayas, so I’m going to have to bring this to his attention. Once I find some pre-shelled mac nuts. 😉