How to Make Atsara (Achara)

Recipe #1: Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups grated raw papaya
• 1/4 cup grated carrot
• 1/4 cup sweet red pepper, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp. Salt
• 1/8 tsp. Black ground pepper
• 1 tsp. Finely chopped fresh ginger

Directions:

1. Mix grated papaya, carrot and sweet red pepper in a deep glass bowl. Set aside.
2. Boil the vinegar, sugar, ginger, salt and pepper uncovered in a cooking pan for 2 – 4 minutes.
3. Pour the vegetables mixture cover for 5 – 8 minutes, then remove from the pan to a glass bowl , let it cool and then refrigerate.

Note: To grate raw papaya, peel off skin and cut lengthwise into four pieces – discard seeds. Wash papaya, dry and grate using a cheese grater.

Recipe #2 Ingredients:

• 1 2-lb. green papaya, about 4 1/2 cups shredded
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, julienned
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced (crosswise) shallots
• 1 large clove garlic, sliced thinly crosswise, centers discarded
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup carrots, thinly sliced or cut decoratively, or julienned
• 1 1 1/2-inch piece ginger, julienned
• 1/4 cup pineapple chunks, fresh or canned, halved if you want
• 1 cup vinegar
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon salt, or to taste

Directions:

1. Peel the papaya and discard seeds. Shred using the small holes of a six-sided grater or the fine-shredding disc of a food processor.
2. Put the shredded papaya in a bowl, sprinkle with the teaspoon of salt and toss. Let sit for an hour or so, then squeeze the papaya by the handfuls, discarding the juice.
3. Bring vinegar, sugar and salt to the boil in a saucepan. You can use white distilled vinegar. What you are trying to achieve is a nice balance of sour to sweet to salty, with sweet and sour dominating.
4. When the mixture reaches the boil, stir with a whisk until sugar and salt are dissolved.
5. Remove from heat and set aside to cool while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
6. Put everything in a large bowl, pour the vinegar mixture on top and combine well.
7. Refrigerate, covered, and let cure for a day or so before serving.

source: epilipinas.com, noodlesandrice.com, photo from tv3.cat