Spicy carrot salad (Canadian Som Tam)

If you have ever visited Thailand then you have most likely eaten their 2nd most famous street food…..som tam (I think it is safe to say phat thai takes first place). The first time I tried som tam, green papaya salad, it literally made my knees buckle and I sort of collapsed in a heap of extreme fiery discomfort. Discomfort is far too mild a word, agony would be a better suited description. I quickly learned to specify how many chillies I wanted in my som tam.

Traditional som tam is made with shredded green papaya, bird’s eye chillies, string beans (long beans), dried shrimp, Thai eggplant, lime, fish sauce, garlic, peanuts and tomatoes. All of these ingredients are smashed together in a giant mortar and pestle and served with sticky rice and sometimes barbecued chicken. It is food you eat with your hands which is just one more reason why this street food is a true reflection of Thai society - it’s often messy, has vibrant colours, textures, smells and sometimes is dangerously spicy.

The version I make here in Canada has been modified to what is available and my family’s tastes. My daughter loves this salad but hates tomatoes so those have also been left out. Please feel free to add them, grape or cherry would be good but if you just want to use a regular tomato, quarter it and add. You could add them at the end and smash them slightly or stir them in with the peanuts.