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Strawberry Papayas Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to strawberry papayas
About strawberry papayas
The strawberry papaya is a small papaya variety that was first developed at the University of Hawaii in 1961. Also known as the "Sunrise papaya," it is the result of cross-breeding between the Line 9 Solo papaya and Kariya papaya varieties. The strawberry papaya can be grown all year round in tropical and subtropical temperate climates and is known for ripening in about a week.
The strawberry papaya takes more from the Line 9 Solo papaya in terms of both flavor and coloring. Strawberry papayas have a slight pear shape with a mostly golden coloring on the outside. Inside, the flesh is firm and salmon-pink. Like other typical Hawaiian papayas, it has a very sweet flavor — it's widely considered one of the most flavorful papaya varieties. Its flavor is reminiscent of fresh melon, berries, and peaches. Slicing into this fruit will unleash a fragrant aroma, and one bite will release a burst of juices into your mouth.
How to pick strawberry papayas
Strawberry papayas start green and hard but ripen into a golden-yellow fruit that is slightly soft to the touch. A few specks of green on the skin are perfectly normal. To pick out a strawberry papaya, look for one that's free from blemishes and holes, which could indicate disease or parasite infestation. A papaya that's slightly heavy will be juicy to eat.
Remember these tips the next time you shop for strawberry papayas, whether you head to the store yourself or use the Instacart app. Instacart is a convenient way to shop for fresh produce and other groceries! You won't need to worry about the quality of the produce you'll get — once you've added the items to your cart, leave a note to help an Instacart shopper pick out the most suitable strawberry papayas. Your items will be prepared for delivery, and you can have them in as little as 2 hours!
Don't fret if only unripe papayas are available, you can speed up the ripening process by storing them among apples or bananas, which produce ethylene.
How to preserve strawberry papayas
Strawberry papayas will stay fresh on the shelf for up to three days. If you place them in the fridge, they can stay fresh for up to a week. However, if you plan to eat them raw, it's best to consume them within two days of purchase. To preserve properly, store the whole papaya in a plastic or paper bag, away from ethylene-producing fruits that can cause it to go bad more quickly.
You can also freeze strawberry papayas, although this is not recommended as the thawed fruit loses some of its texture and taste. It's best to cut them into cubes and store them in a freezer bag. However, you may consider freezing papayas if you use them in smoothies and juices or plan to cook them. In the freezer, strawberry papayas can last up to 10 months.
Strawberry Papayas Near Me
Buy your favorite Strawberry Papayas online with Instacart. Order Strawberry Papayas from local and national retailers near you and enjoy on-demand, contactless delivery or pickup within 2 hours.
FAQs about strawberry papayas
Strawberry papayas are rich in vitamins A and C, both of which are rich in antioxidants and have immune-boosting properties. The vitamin A in strawberry papayas comes from beta carotene, a red-orange pigment found most commonly in carrots and sweet potatoes. Strawberry papayas are also a good source of dietary fiber, which aids digestion and boosts gut health.
Strawberry papayas are best eaten raw. Cut the fruit, scoop out the seeds, and enjoy the flesh as it is or with a drizzle of lemon juice. Some people enjoy the strawberry papaya with a light sprinkle of salt. Strawberry papayas can also be enjoyed as part of a tropical fruit salad; they pair quite well with bananas, mangos, pineapples, coconuts, and citrus fruits. You can change it up by throwing in some nuts and spices, too.
If you prefer to drink your fruits, you can juice the strawberry papaya or add it to your next smoothie. For a delicious fruit kebab, skewer some papayas with sweet onions, tomatoes, and pineapples.
The fruit and leaves of most papaya plants, ripe or unripe, can be used to tenderize meat. This is due to the presence of papain, an enzyme that can break down tough meat fibers. To use, juice or puree the raw papaya and toss your meat in it. Don't marinate your meat for too long, so you don't end up with grainy meat.
Most people enjoy only the flesh of the papaya, but you can also eat the seeds. They have a slightly peppery flavor and can be used to season various dishes. While papaya skin is not known to be poisonous, it's not exactly edible. Papaya plants produce latex, which is sometimes transferred to the skin of the fruit. As such, it could be dangerous to people with latex allergies.
In addition, pregnant women are advised not to eat any parts of unripe strawberry papaya to reduce the risk of miscarriage or harm to the fetus.