Love (Papaya with lime)

I saw the fat ripe fruit in piles by the side of the road in Sosúa. I secretly wished for some for breakfast. Alas, no papaya, and I didn’t ask for any, more than content with the lavish spread Kelley had arranged for us to enjoy at her birthday ladies’ weekend. At my hotel in Mexico City, fruit was laid out every morning, but no papaya.

Until my birthday. Papaya magically appeared like a love-note from beyond. I felt the love. How can one live on a planet where papaya exists and not feel juicy awe?

In Sayulita, papaya greeted me daily, before and after morning yoga. I squeezed wedges of lime, sprinkled crystals of salt. Some days I drizzled honey and sprinkled granola, but papaya needs nothing to declare its perfection.

This trip was an expression of self-love, made possible by my husband who stayed home and cared for our son. I loved moving through new places at my own pace, loved how they spoke to me, the music of street serenades in La Condesa and the crash of Pacific Ocean waves.

Love was waiting for me when I returned home. Caleb left an actual love-note in my sock drawer along with three pairs of new alpaca socks, one strikingly close to papaya-colored. He didn’t know and yet, he knew.

Papaya isn’t stocked at our local grocery store, but Caleb finds one at a Trader Joe’s in Brooklyn. I feel the weight of its dense flesh, saturated with water and color. I slice it open, its skin much more tender than melon. I scrape the seeds out with my fingers. I eat some standing at my countertop, juice dripping, its fruit blushing pink. This love is not shy. I serve the rest to Caleb in my grandmother’s Belvedere china bowl.

Love everywhere, carried with me, meeting me, surprising me, papaya-colored socks and juicy flesh. Still in love, still loved, papaya’s message unwavering. Love finds us, surrounds us, is us.

Recipe as feeling: Love (Papaya with lime)

Let love catch your eye.

Welcome it home.

Open up.

Let its vividness surprise you.

Actual recipe

Papaya with lime

INGREDIENTS:
1 papaya, ripe
1/2 lime
Optional: Honey, granola

Find a ripe papaya — it’s ok if it has some soft spots or bruises. Wash the skin. Slice it open and scrape out the seeds. Peel and slice as you like, and squeeze half a lime over it. Optional: Drizzle with honey and sprinkle with granola for some extra sweetness and crunch.