Atsara, also known as Pickled Green Papaya or Papaya Relish is a fresh-tasting side dish that is made of green papaya, carrots, and delicious spices!
Looking for more traditional Filipino dishes? Try my easy & delicious Laing, heartwarming Misua Soup (Noodle Soup) or my savory Grilled Eggplant with Coconut Milk.
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Atsara is typically served as a side dish or condiment to balance out rich, savory main dishes.
Although there’s no strict rule as to when it’s served, you’ll most often find atsara alongside grilled and fried foods.
What is Atsara?
Atsara (also spelled achara or atchara depending on what region you're from in the Philippines) is a Filipino fermented dish that is very popular condiment in the Philippines.
Its main ingredient is the unripe green papaya that is shredded finely and then cooked in a pickling solution.
Filipinos make many versions of this recipe and some of the ways are mixing ampalaya slices or raisins. Others add in thinly sliced red or white radish in their own version of Atsara.
Health Benefits of Papaya
- Great in lowering cholesterol. It is rich in fiber, Vitamin C, and antioxidants
- Aids in weight loss
- Boosts the immune system
- Great snacks for persons with diabetes
- Aids in good eye health
- Improves digestion with its fiber content
- Helps ease menstrual cramps
Health Benefits of Atsara
- Offers dietary fiber from green papaya and other vegetables
- Provides essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants (especially vitamins A, C, and E)
- Encourages more vegetable consumption in the diet
- Not probiotic-rich (due to vinegar pickling method), but still supports general digestive health
Variations
- With Pineapple - Incorporate fresh pineapple chunks or tidbits to bring a tropical sweetness.
- Spicy Atsara - Include chili peppers for heat.
- Diabetic-Friendly - Use sugar substitutes like stevia or erythritol to reduce sweetness.
Substitutions
- Unripe green papaya - Chayote (Sayote) for similar crisp texture when shredded or Green Mango for more tart but adjusted sugar
- Brown sugar - white sugar or coconut sugar can work
- Small carrot - bell peppers for color and crunch (though less firm) or daikon / radish for crisp and slight peppery flavor
- Annatto (Atsuete) Powder - paprika for red color (mild flavor) or turmeric for yellow-orange color and distinct flavor
- Coconut Vinegar - cane vinegar can be a common vinegar replacement or white vinegar for sharper taste
Storage
- After cooking and allow it cool for at least an hour, you can store them in airtight jars and chill them.
- Store 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator in an airtight container
Ingredients
Listed below are all the ingredients you will need (omitting quantities):
- unripe green papaya
- water
- brown sugar
- coconut vinegar
- small carrot
- salt
- garlic
- small onion
- ginger
- black pepper
- annatto (atsuete) powder
- shallot
- red bell pepper
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Wash papaya, slice lengthwise, remove the seeds and gut using spoon or scraper.
Wash it again and grate the papaya.
Place the papaya in a large bowl with teaspoon salt and set aside for 1 hour.
Squeeze the papaya, drain the liquid from the papaya, and rinse thoroughly.
Pre-heat saucepan or pot over medium heat, add 1 cup water and bring to a simmer. Then add cup sugar and stir until it is dissolved.
Combine vinegar and cover until it boils.
Then add carrots, garlic, shallot, ginger to the pickling solution.
Now it's time to add black pepper.
Then add the annatto powder.
Lastly, add teaspoons of salt.
Combine papaya with red peppers with other ingredients. Then mix and turn off the fire.
Allow it to cool and pour into a airtight sterilized jar. Seal with lids and place inside the refrigerator for a week (or five days minimum to achieve the texture and flavor).
It is best to place papaya Atsara cold fried dishes!
Hint: Be careful not to overcook the papaya.
⭐ Top Tip
It is best to use unripe green papaya for this Atsara recipe. The sweet and sour taste of the sugar and vinegar mixture will blend so well with the taste of the unripe papaya.
FAQ
More recipes
- Vegan Isaw
- Vegan Filipino Bola Bola
- Filipino Vegan Corned Beef Hash
- Vegan Tocino
- Vegan Bagoong
- Vegan Bopis
- Vegan Humba
Atsara
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 small unripe green papaya grated
- 1 tablespoon rock salt optional, for soaking
- 1 cup water
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup coconut vinegar
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small carrot peeled and chopped
- 4 cloves garlic peeled
- 1 small red shallot chopped
- 1 thumb-sized ginger peeled and chopped
Seasoning:
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon annatto atsuete powder
- 1 tablespoon rock salt optional, for flavoring
Instructions
Prepare the Papaya:
- Wash the green papaya, slice it lengthwise, and remove the seeds using a spoon or scraper.
- Wash it again, then grate the papaya.
- Place the grated papaya in a large bowl, mix with 1 tablespoon rock salt (optional), and let it sit for 1 hour.
- After 1 hour, squeeze out the liquid from the papaya, rinse thoroughly, and drain well.
Prepare the Pickling Mixture:
- Preheat a saucepan or pot over medium heat and add 1 cup water.
- Bring the water to a simmer, then add brown sugar and stir until dissolved.
- Pour in the coconut vinegar, cover, and let it boil.
Cook the Vegetables and Aromatics:
- Add the chopped carrots, garlic, shallot, ginger, black pepper, annatto powder, and 1 tablespoon salt (if using). Stir well.
Combine the Papaya:
- Add the drained grated papaya and mix to combine everything evenly.
- Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool completely.
Store and Serve:
- Transfer the mixture into an airtight, sterilized jar. Seal the jar tightly.
- Refrigerate for at least 5 days to allow the flavors to develop and achieve the best texture.
- Serve cold as a side dish with fried dishes.
Notes
Sweet says
Yum! Will try this recipe soon!
Lainey says
Thank you, Sweet! Let me know how it turns out! 😊🍴
Sheen says
Tastes really good!!
Simply Bakings Kitchen Team says
Thank you, Sheen! I'm glad you think so 😄
Aira says
This Atsara recipe is fantastic! 🥕🥒 I love how easy it was to follow, and the combination of sweet, sour, and crunchy flavors turned out perfectly. The step-by-step instructions and helpful tips made the process simple, even for a beginner like me. It tastes just like the traditional Atsara I grew up with—thank you for sharing such a delicious and authentic recipe! I’ll be making this again for family gatherings!
Simply Bakings Kitchen Team says
I'm so glad it turned out well for you, Aira! 😁
Douglass Barretto says
Awesome blog.
Simply Bakings Kitchen Team says
Thank you so much! 😁
Melyssa Kessler says
This is a really good product.
Simply Bakings Kitchen Team says
I'm glad you think so. Thanks! 😄
Grayce Hagenes says
My neighbor Karly has one of these. She works as a gambler and she says it looks tall.
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