🇸🇹 Sao Tomean Cuisine

Doce de Papaia

Papaya Preserve

Prep Time 15 min
Servings 8
Difficulty Easy

Ripe papaya slowly cooked with sugar, lime juice, and cinnamon into a glistening amber preserve — served as dessert, on bread, or alongside cheese.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1 Combine papaya, sugar, and water in a heavy saucepan. Let macerate 30 min.
  2. 2 Add lime juice, cinnamon stick, and cloves. Bring to a boil.
  3. 3 Reduce heat and simmer 45-50 min, stirring occasionally, until papaya is translucent and syrup thickens.
  4. 4 Remove cinnamon and cloves.
  5. 5 Pour into sterilized jars while hot, or serve warm as dessert.
  6. 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.