Thai Green Papaya Salad (Som Tum)

• 1 medium green papaya, peeled and shredded
• 1 cup long beans or green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tomatoes, cut into wedges
• 1/4 cup roasted peanuts
• 2 thai chilies
• 2 cloves garlic
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons palm sugar (or brown sugar)

Instructions

1. 1

   Peel the green papaya and shred it using a julienne peeler or large grater.

2. 2

   In a mortar and pestle, pound the garlic and chilies until crushed.

3. 3

   Add the green beans, peanuts, dried shrimp (if using), and slightly bruise them with the pestle.

4. 4

   Add the fish sauce, lime juice, and palm sugar. Mix well until the sugar dissolves.

5. 5

   Add the shredded papaya and tomato wedges. Toss and lightly pound everything in the mortar (or a large bowl) to blend flavors.

6. 6

   Serve immediately, garnished with more peanuts if desired.