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Plastic chutney
Raw papaya chutney
প্লাস্টিক চাটনি: translucent slivers of raw papaya in a lime and sugar syrup
Plastic chutney gets its funny name from the way the thin slices of raw papaya turn clear and glassy, like cellophane, as they cook in syrup. It is the chutney of every Bengali wedding feast and of the Durga Puja bhog, served in a small heap at the end of the meal, sweet, sharp with lime, and dotted with raisins. No onion or garlic goes near it. Common mistake: cutting the papaya too thick or cooking it on high heat; thick slices stay opaque and chewy, while a fast boil caramelises the syrup before the papaya turns clear. The chutney is ready when every slice is see-through and the syrup coats a spoon. Chef's tip: soak the sliced papaya in water with a pinch of baking soda for 15 minutes, then rinse; this helps the slices stay crisp-tender and turn translucent evenly.
- Total time
- 40 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
- 14 oz raw green papayapeeled, seeded, sliced paper-thin
- ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 7 oz sugar
- 1 ¼ cups water
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp raisins
- 10 cashew nuts (optional)halved
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 tsp neutral oil
- ½ tsp panch phoron
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Soak 14 oz raw green papaya in a bowl of water with ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda for 15 minutes, then rinse well and drain.
15 minStep 2: Heat 1 tsp neutral oil in a saucepan over a medium heat, add ½ tsp panch phoron and let it crackle for a few seconds.
1 minStep 4: Add the papaya and simmer over a medium-low heat for 12–15 minutes, without stirring hard, until every slice is translucent and the syrup is lightly thick.
15 minStep 5: Add 2 tbsp raisins, 10 cashew nuts and 2 tbsp lime juice and simmer for 1 more minute. Cool completely; the syrup thickens to a glossy coating. Keeps for a week in the fridge.
2 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 170 kcal
- Protein
- 1 g
- Carbs
- 40 g
- Fat
- 1 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does plastic chutney take?
- About 40 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of bicarbonate of soda?
- Baking powder, three times the amount (the bake may taste slightly different).
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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