Picadillo de Papaya Verde
A savory and hearty Costa Rican dish made with green papaya, beef, and potatoes, seasoned with traditional spices. It's often served with tortillas.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Green papaya(peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2 inch cubes)
- 500 g Lean beef(cut into thin strips or small cubes)
- 500 g Potatoes(peeled and cut into 1/2 inch cubes)
- 1 medium Onion(chopped)
- 1 medium Green bell pepper(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 tablespoons Vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon Annatto powder (achiote)
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Salt(or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper(freshly ground, or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large pot, cook the beef in a little water over medium heat until tender. Drain and reserve the cooking liquid. Cut the beef into thin strips or small cubes.
⏱️ 30 minutes - 2
In the same pot (or a separate one), heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and green bell pepper, sauté until softened, about 5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Add the minced garlic, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 1 minute - 4
Add the cubed potatoes and the prepared beef to the pot. Stir to combine.
- 5
Add the cubed green papaya and the reserved beef cooking liquid. Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and annatto powder.
- 6
Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until the papaya and potatoes are tender, about 30-40 minutes. Stir occasionally.
⏱️ 30-40 minutes - 7
Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve hot, typically with corn tortillas.
💡 Tip: This dish is also delicious served with a side of rice.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓To prepare the green papaya, peel it, remove the seeds, and cut it into cubes. Some recipes suggest soaking the papaya cubes in salted water with a pinch of baking soda for about 15 minutes to remove any bitterness.
- ✓If you can't find lean beef, you can use ground beef or pork.
- ✓For a vegetarian version, omit the beef and use vegetable broth instead of beef cooking liquid.
🔄 Variations
- Some recipes include carrots or other root vegetables.
- A pinch of chili powder can be added for a touch of heat.