5.0 from 3 votes
Dulce de Lechosa [Recipe + Video] Candied Unripe Papaya
Fruits in spiced syrup are a beloved Dominican tradition, and almost any locally grown fruit can be made this way. Dulce de lechosa, though not the most common, is a lovely version of this dessert.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 166 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
South American , Dominican
Ingredients
- 1 unripe papaya 1 lb [0.45 kg] (see notes)
- 1½ tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 cup brown sugar (see notes)
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 9 cloves
Instructions
1. Slicing papaya
- Cut into halves, peel, and discard seeds.With a sharp knife or --better-- a mandoline, slice the papaya very thinly.
Cup of Yum
2. Brining
- Place the sliced papaya in a medium saucepan; add salt, and enough water to cover. Heat over medium heat until it breaks the boil. Immediately remove from the heat. Let it cool to room temperature.
3. Rinsing
- Remove the papaya from the water, and discard the water. Add enough fresh water to cover it, stir to rinse out the salt, and discard the water.
4. Cooking
- Place the papaya in a small pot or medium saucepan, add cinnamon sticks, cloves, and sugar. Add ⅓ cup of water.Simmer over medium-low heat until almost all the liquid (the papaya will release some as it cooks) evaporates.Discard cinnamon sticks and cloves.
5. Serving and storing
- Cool to room temperature, then chill before serving.Store in a lidded jar and refrigerate for up to a week, or serve once chilled.
Notes
- Pick a papaya that has green skin, and is very firm when pressed. Score the skin very shallowly to make sure no sap oozes out.
- Brown sugar gives this dessert a much darker color than if you use white sugar, this is a matter of preference.
- Slicing the papaya very thinly is also a matter of preference, you can also dice it, or slice it a bit thicker.
Nutrition Information
Calories
166kcal
(8%)
Carbohydrates
43g
(14%)
Protein
1g
(2%)
Fat
1g
(2%)
Saturated Fat
1g
(5%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
1g
Monounsaturated Fat
1g
Sodium
597mg
(25%)
Potassium
152mg
(4%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
40g
(80%)
Vitamin A
487IU
(10%)
Vitamin C
31mg
(34%)
Calcium
60mg
(6%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 166
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 166kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 43g | 14% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 1g | 2% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 597mg | 25% |
| Potassium | 152mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 40g | 80% |
| Vitamin A | 487IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 31mg | 34% |
| Calcium | 60mg | 6% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.