How to Cut Papaya — A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’re in the mood for a tropical smoothie or a lassi, or want to make a delicious fruit salad, papaya is a sure bet to place in your shopping cart. This large fruit, with its mellow sweetness and somewhat creamy texture, adds a subtle and refreshing flavor to drinks, salads, and soups.

The process of cutting a papaya is like a cross between cutting a melon and a mango. With this fruit, it’s easiest to remove the inner seeds and pulp before slicing off the tough skin. You’re dealing with a slippery fruit, so take care to use a stable cutting surface when working.

Before cutting into your papaya, make sure it’s ripe. The skin should be turning from deep green to mottled yellow, and you should feel a little give to the fruit when you gently press it. (Don’t press too hard, though!)

Once your papaya is ripe, it’s time to slice into it.

• Working on a stabilized cutting board, trim both ends of the papaya.

• Slice the papaya in half lengthwise.

• Remove the seeds and pulp from the center of each half with a spoon. (You can compost the seeds or save them to add to smoothies for extra fiber, but be aware that eating large amounts of papaya seeds may cause stomach upset.)

• Place one half of the papaya, cut-side down, on the cutting board and use a vegetable peeler or sharp knife to peel off the skin. Repeat with the other half.

• Cut your peeled papaya halves as desired. You can slice them into half-moons, or for cubed papaya start by slicing into strips and then cut the strips crosswise.

• Papaya Lassi with Cardamon
• Green Papaya Pad Thai
• Mango and Papaya Fruit Salad
• Chilled Papaya Soup