I have a favorite summer salad from Thailand which is a Spicy Green Papaya salad (Som Tum).
It’s refreshing with strings of green papaya, carrot, cherry tomatoes and a spicy light dressing.
I wrote about it when my blog is very new (along with a tale of chasing around Bangkok looking for a ‘perfect Buddha’ for a friend). I would happily eat that salad all summer long but as I’ve seen green papaya lately at my favorite Asian grocery store, I decided there must be more I could do with it.
I have not created a new Spiralizer recipe for awhile and decided green papaya would be great spiralized. Unlike its salmon-fleshed ripe self, green papaya is firm, lightly flavored and very refreshing. It isn’t sweet, has a pleasing crunch and is also flexible to mesh with other flavors.
Perhaps because I’d just made Grilled Chicken Thigh Satay with Peanut Dipping Sauce I was still thinking in the Asian genre and decided to turn one of our favorite family meals of Pad Thai into a salad. Instead of using noodles however, this recipe uses green papaya ‘noodles’, as well as spiralized carrots. It’s a fresh, raw salad resembling a cole slaw in texture but with a slightly spicy, peanut-based dressing which folds in the key flavors found naturally in Pad Thai.
Along with the green papaya and carrots, cilantro, red cabbage, mung bean sprouts round out the greens. The dressing is made with smooth peanut butter (unsweetened), rice vinegar, a bit of fish sauce (don’t be afraid), crushed red chile flakes and other seasonings making a flavor-layered salad that is simply irresistible.
A note on Spiralizers. I’ll confess I suspected them to be a fad when they began to become popular. I bought one about a year ago loving the notion that I could swap out pasta with vegetable noodles to bump up the nutrition and flavor of my family dinners. I immediately fell in love and have used it for almost every firm fruit and vegetable you might imagine. They cost around $30 (here is the Spiralizer I use) so won’t break the bank either. When summer produce is at its height using a Spiralizer is a perfect way to make fun dishes that are healthy as well as delicious.
Having said all of that, if you don’t own a Spiralizer there are other ways to make similar noodles. I purchased a hand held tool for about $5 when first making the green papaya salad I mentioned that makes quick work of creating strands of firm vegetables. A julienne slicer is another option though it tends to make smaller strings of vegetables.
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Recipe
Pad Thai Salad with Spiralized Green Papaya and Spicy Peanut Dressing
Ingredients
Ingredients for Pad Thai Salad:
- 4 cups spiralized Green Papaya (peeled, seeded using a 1/8 inch or 3mm blade; approximately ½ large green papaya)*
- 1 large Carrot , scrubbed with top removed, spiralized (using 1/8 inch or 3mm blade)
- 1 cup thinly sliced and chopped Purple Cabbage
- 4 Scallions , sliced on the diagonal, white into the start of the dark green section of the scallion
- 1 cup Mung Bean Sprouts
- ¼ cup fresh Cilantro , chopped
- 1 Lime , cut lengthwise into 8 wedges
- Optional: ¼ cup chopped peanuts for garnish
Ingredients for Spicy Peanut Dressing:
- ¼ cup Smooth Peanut Butter (use a brand with peanuts as the only ingredient)
- 3 tablespoons Rice Vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Lime Juice
- 1 ½ teaspoon fresh Ginger Root , peeled and chopped
- 1 extra large Garlic Clove , rough chopped
- 1 teaspoon Fish Sauce
- ½ teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
Instructions
Instructions for Spicy Peanut Dressing:
- Add all ingredients into a blender or food chopper and blend until smooth. Set aside.
Instructions for Pad Thai Salad:
- Note: the spiralized green papaya and carrot ‘noodles’ can be very long making them cumbersome to eat. I recommend cutting them roughly into 6 inch lengths with kitchen shears before creating the salad.
- In a large mixing bowl or serving bowl, combine all the salad ingredients (except lime wedges and optional chopped peanuts). Toss to combine fully.
- Add the dressing and toss again to coat the salad with the dressing. Sprinkle the top of the salad with chopped peanuts (if desired) and serve with lime wedges.
Notes
Nutrition
Theresa says
It looks so good! My husband loves Thai cuisine and this sounds like something that is right up his alley!
Melissa Pezza says
That looks so yummy! I’ve never had Pad Thai salad before. Which is odd, considering how much I love Asian food.
Amber C. says
Not really my cup of tea but definitely something my mom would LOVE! I will have to make this for her she will totally enjoy it!
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle says
That looks amazing! I’ve never seen a salad like this before. I love the color and the texture. The flavor sounds amazing, too!
Robin Masshole mommy says
That sounds absolutely phenomenal. Pad Thai is one of my favorites!
Anne-Marie @ This Mama Cooks! On a Diet says
Love the idea of spiralizing one of my favorite salads!
Chris Scheuer says
Okay, that’s it! I’m getting a spiralizer! This looks fantastic Toni. And I’m like you, once I started eating a wonderful cuisine like Thai, I get hooked on it and can’t stop!
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
This is such a creative salad – I just picked up a spiralizer this weekend, can’t wait to try it out!
Toni Dash says
Sue you will love it! Especially with all the creative, fresh dishes you make. Can’t wait to see what you come up with.
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
What a beautiful salad! I love peanut dressing and spicy is even better 🙂
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Perfectly gorgeous Toni! I really like my spiralizer too and you have given me inspiration with this wonderful combination of textures and flavors. Love spicy peanut dressing. Wonderful! Pinning and sharing 🙂