Dulce de Papaya
Candied Green Papaya
A traditional Colombian dessert featuring tender strips of green papaya slowly simmered in a spiced sugar syrup until candied. It's a sweet and aromatic treat, often served chilled with a slice of fresh cheese.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg (about 2.2 lbs) Green papaya
- 2 liters (about 8 cups) Water
- 1 Lime
- 800 g (about 4 cups) Sugar(Granulated sugar is standard.)
- 2 Cinnamon sticks(About 3-4 inches each.)
- 6 Whole cloves
- 1 strip Optional: Lime rind(Peeled from the lime used for juice, avoiding the white pith.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the papaya: Peel the green papaya, cut it in half, and scoop out the seeds and stringy pulp. Cut the flesh into uniform strips or cubes, approximately 1-inch thick. Aim for consistent sizing for even cooking.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 2
Soak the papaya: Place the papaya pieces in a large bowl. Squeeze the juice from the halved lime over the papaya. Add enough water to completely cover the papaya. Let it soak at room temperature overnight (or for at least 8 hours). This step helps to firm the papaya and remove some of its bitterness.
⏱️ Overnight (8-12 hours) - 3
Rinse and drain: The next day, drain the papaya and rinse it thoroughly under cold running water to remove any residual lime juice. Drain well.
- 4
Begin the syrup: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, combine the 2 liters of fresh water and the sugar. Add the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and the optional strip of lime rind. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 5
Simmer the papaya: Add the drained papaya pieces to the sugar syrup. Ensure the papaya is mostly submerged. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot loosely (leaving a small gap for steam to escape), and let it simmer very gently. The papaya should not be boiling vigorously, but rather poaching softly in the syrup.
⏱️ 3 hours - 6
Check for doneness: After about 2.5 hours, check the papaya. It should be tender when pierced with a fork and have a translucent appearance. The syrup will have thickened considerably and taken on a rich amber color. If the syrup is too thin, remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of cooking to allow it to reduce further. If it becomes too thick, you can add a splash of water.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 1 hour - 7
Cool and chill: Once the papaya is tender and the syrup has reached the desired consistency, remove the pot from the heat. Discard the cinnamon sticks, cloves, and lime rind. Allow the Dulce de Papaya to cool completely in the syrup. For the best flavor and texture, chill it in the refrigerator for at least a few hours, or preferably overnight, before serving.
⏱️ Minimum 4 hours chilling - 8
Serve: Serve the chilled Dulce de Papaya cold, spooning some of the thick, spiced syrup over the papaya pieces. It is traditionally served with a slice of fresh, mild white cheese (like queso fresco or a mild Colombian cheese) to balance the sweetness.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Use only firm, completely green papaya. Ripe or semi-ripe papaya will be too soft and may disintegrate during cooking.
- ✓This dessert is intentionally very sweet. The accompanying cheese is crucial for balancing the flavors.
- ✓The texture should be tender but still hold its shape, with a slightly chewy, candied quality.
- ✓Ensure the papaya is cut into uniform pieces for even cooking.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add a knob of fresh ginger (about 1 inch, sliced) along with the other spices for a subtle warmth.
- Increase the amount of spices, or add star anise for a different aromatic profile.
- For a less intense sweetness, you can slightly reduce the amount of sugar, but be aware this may affect the final texture and preservation.