Entree: French Guiana – National Cuisine – Gratin de Papaye Verte (Baked savory gratin of unripe green papaya in a creamy cheese sauce)
Serving Size: 4
Approximate Time
Prep
20 min
Cook
35 min
Additional
5 min
Total
1 hr
Ingredients
- 2 lb (900 g) green papaya, peeled, seeded, and thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
- 2 tbsp (28 g) unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, approx. 6 oz (170 g), thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) dry white wine
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) crème fraîche
- 8 oz (225 g) Gruyère cheese, grated
- 1/2 cup (50 g) plain breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp (28 g) unsalted butter, melted (for breadcrumbs)
- 1 tsp (5 g) kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp (2 g) freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 tsp (0.5 g) freshly grated nutmeg
- 2 tbsp (8 g) chopped fresh parsley
- Lime wedges for serving
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Butter a 9x9-inch (23x23 cm) baking dish.
2. In a large pot of boiling salted water, blanch the papaya slices 2–3 minutes until just tender; drain and set aside.
3. Heat 2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil and 2 tbsp (28 g) butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and cook until soft and translucent, 6–8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute more.
4. Deglaze the pan with 1/2 cup (120 ml) white wine, scraping up any browned bits. Reduce by half, then stir in 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream, 1/2 cup (120 ml) crème fraîche, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
5. Combine the blanched papaya with the cream sauce in the skillet, folding gently to coat the slices evenly.
6. Layer the sauced papaya in the prepared baking dish, pour any remaining sauce over the top, and sprinkle 8 oz (225 g) grated Gruyère evenly across the surface.
7. Mix 1/2 cup (50 g) breadcrumbs with 2 tbsp (28 g) melted butter and scatter over the cheese.
8. Bake in the preheated oven 25–30 minutes until the top is golden and the gratin is bubbling. If needed, broil 1–2 minutes to brown the topping.
9. Remove from the oven and let rest 5 minutes. Sprinkle 2 tbsp (8 g) chopped parsley and serve with lime wedges.
