Ripe papaya slowly cooked with sugar, lime juice, and cinnamon into a glistening amber preserve — served as dessert, on bread, or alongside cheese.
Instructions
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1
Combine papaya, sugar, and water in a heavy saucepan. Let macerate 30 min.
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2
Add lime juice, cinnamon stick, and cloves. Bring to a boil.
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3
Reduce heat and simmer 45-50 min, stirring occasionally, until papaya is translucent and syrup thickens.
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4
Remove cinnamon and cloves.
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5
Pour into sterilized jars while hot, or serve warm as dessert.
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6
Can be stored sealed for up to 3 months.
Did You Know?
Portuguese-influenced fruit preserves called "doces" are a Sao Tomean art form — every grandmother has her secret recipe, and the best are prized gifts.
The Story Behind Doce de Papaia
The Portuguese tradition of making fruit preserves merged beautifully with Sao Tome's abundant tropical fruits. Doce de papaia became a signature preserve because papaya grows prolifically on the islands and produces fruit year-round. These preserves were historically a way to send tropical flavors to relatives in Portugal, carefully packed in glass jars on ships.
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