Green papayas are not always available in the Filipino Sari-Sari Store here in Colorado Springs. I normally use potatoes or chayote for my Chicken Tinola but there’s no substitute for green papayas when it comes to Atsara. I picked up a bottle of this Tropical Atsara to go with my Daing na Bangus.
Atsara is anything pickled. The most popular being a mix of green papayas, bell peppers, onions, etc. It makes a perfect side dish to fried fish.
This particular brand was mediocre. The taste was not bad, but it lacked that balance of acidity and sweetness associated with a good atsara. It also lacked bell peppers and onions which would have given it more flavor. If you noticed in my previous post, the atsara looked pretty pale and boring.
I can do something about it though. I can reheat the remainder in a small pot, add whatever seasonings and spices I feel it needs. Add some whole scallions, a sliced garlic, a few slices of green and red bell pepper…and I’ll have a small serving of atsara just like mom used to make.
Says Who?