Lori's Stuffed Papaya

Bright, bold, and bursting with flavor, Lori's Stuffed Papaya is a tropical twist on a hearty, plant-forward meal. Sweet, ripe papayas are halved and filled with a nutritious blend of protein-packed quinoa, black beans, juicy cherry tomatoes, and fragrant spices like cumin and fresh cilantro. A touch of lime juice adds zesty freshness, while crumbled feta cheese (or your favorite vegan alternative) melts atop the savory filling for a creamy finish. Ready in just 25 minutes, this colorful dish is baked to perfection and offers a unique combination of sweet and savory flavors. Perfect as a light meal or paired with a crisp side salad, Lori's Stuffed Papaya is a show-stopping, healthy recipe that’s as delightful to eat as it is to look at.

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 Ripe papayas (medium-sized)
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 0.5 cup Red onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 cup Cooked quinoa
• 0.75 cup Black beans, drained and rinsed
• 0.5 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved
• 0.25 cup Fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 tablespoons Lime juice
• 0.5 teaspoon Cumin powder
• 0.25 teaspoon Chili flakes (optional)
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Pepper
• 0.5 cup Feta cheese (or vegan alternative), crumbled

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Cut the ripe papayas in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out the seeds using a spoon. Set aside on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Step 3

Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.

Step 4

Add finely diced red onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.

Step 5

Stir in minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 6

Turn off the heat and stir in the cooked quinoa, black beans, cherry tomatoes, chopped cilantro, lime juice, cumin powder, chili flakes (if using), salt, and pepper.

Step 7

Mix well to combine and adjust seasoning to your taste.

Step 8

Spoon the filling into the hollowed-out papaya halves, packing gently and evenly.

Step 9

Top each stuffed papaya with crumbled feta cheese (or vegan alternative).

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes or until the filling is warm and the cheese is slightly melted.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 2-3 minutes before serving.

Step 12

Serve warm as a light meal or pair it with a side salad for a heartier dish.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1837.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1493.0

Total Fat 61.3g	0%
Saturated Fat 23.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 106.8mg	0%
Sodium 2590.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 207.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 36.9g	0%
Total Sugars 90.4g
Protein 45.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 884.3mg	0%
Iron 10.6mg	0%
Potassium 2997.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 35.2%

Protein: 11.7%

Carbs: 53.1%