What Can I Use Instead Of Pawpaw For The Sweet And Sour Shredded Salad?

Our answer

Nigella's Red Mullet With Sweet And Sour Shredded Salad is perfect for warmer weather, with the soft, flaky flesh of the fish contrasting with the crunchy chilli-spiked salad. Green pawpaws (or papayas) are often used in Thai salads. They are the unripe versions of the fruits, which turn orange and sweet as they become fully ripe.

Green pawpaw has a crunchy texture and a vegetal and very slightly sweet flavour. If you can't find a green papaya then a sharp green apple, such as a Granny Smith, would be a possible alternative. Otherwise, you could use very finely shredded white (green) cabbage to give crunch to the salad, or even a combination of the two.