Ode to Papaya (attempt 1 of many)

I love papaya!  I really, really love papaya!  It's sooo delicious.  And so fresh.  And although a few months before I was horrified by the almost repugnant aroma inside, now it just smells sweet and tempting (when I first starting getting to like it, I had to hold my breath sometimes while eating it as not to smell it).  The little slimy peppercorn like seeds used to freak me out, but they just make me laugh and excited to feast.  Poor Jackie has to listen to this monologue every other day, and even poorer Jackie hasn't converted to a papaya lover!

Oh papaya, I already can't stop thinking about how I'll miss you.  Buying one the size of my head for $1-2.  Then sometimes eating it all by accident while cutting it.  Great in a blender with just about anything.  More vitamin C than oranges, and a laundry list of other vitamins and minerals (including calcium!).   Tons of carotene (think "carrots"), which I'm sure will some day soon cause my palms to turn orange. I could write about you forever, papaya.  I'm sorry it took me so long to write this post about you.

More fun facts: Unripe papaya contains the enzyme papain.  This is used as a meat tenderizer, and has also been used to induce abortions and help Harrison Ford's ruptured disk in Temple of Doom.  Unripe papaya also oozes latex, strangely enough.

makes me so happy : )