Som Tam: The Spicy and Delicious Salad from Thailand
One of the most popular and loved dishes in Thailand is som tam. It is a traditional salad made with green papaya and a mix of other ingredients. This dish is a perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors that leave a lasting impression on your taste buds.
What is Som Tam?
Som tam is a Thai salad that is typically made with unripe, green papaya. The papaya is shredded or pounded with a mortar and pestle until it's tender. The salad is then mixed with other flavorful ingredients such as chili, garlic, lime juice, fish sauce, tomatoes, peanuts, and sometimes even small dried shrimp or crab.
Som tam is a popular street food in Thailand and it's not hard to find it being prepared fresh in local markets or even in food carts on the street. It's a dish that can be served as a side dish or a main course. It's also a great dish to try if you're looking for a lighter, healthier alternative to some of the other heavy and greasy Thai dishes.
The Different Variations of Som Tam
Som tam isn't just a basic salad dish - it has evolved and adapted over the years, resulting in various types of som tam with different ingredients. These variations include:
- Som Tam Thai: This is the most common type of som tam, and it's the one that most people are familiar with. It's made with green papaya, dried shrimp, peanuts, tomatoes, garlic, chilies, and lime juice.
- Som Tam Poo: This som tam variation includes crab, and it is usually served alongside sticky rice.
- Som Tam Bplah Ra: This som tam uses a type of fish called "pla ra," which is a fermented fish that is similar to anchovies. It's a more pungent type of som tam compared to others.
- Som Tam Kao Pod: If you're looking for a crunchy addition, this som tam variation is made with corn instead of papaya. The corn adds a different texture to the dish that is both sweet and savory.
How to Make Som Tam
If you're interested in making som tam at home, don't worry - it's quite easy to make. Here is a simple recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 unripe green papaya (peeled and shredded or pounded)
- 2-3 cloves of garlic (minced)
- 4-5 Thai chili peppers (minced)
- 2 tablespoons palm sugar (or brown sugar)
- 3-4 tablespoons fish sauce
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/2 cup roasted peanuts (crushed)
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, mix the garlic, chili peppers, palm sugar, fish sauce, and lime juice together.
- Add the shredded papaya and cherry tomatoes to the bowl.
- Using a large spoon or wooden pestle, mix the salad together and lightly pound the ingredients. This will help release the flavors from the ingredients.
- Serve the som tam with a generous sprinkling of crushed roasted peanuts on top.
Enjoy!
In Conclusion...
Som tam is a delicious and healthy Thai salad that is easy to make and full of flavor. Whether you're in Thailand or outside of it, it's a dish you should definitely try at least once. Its unique mix of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors will leave you craving more.
