Can I make Som Tum Fruit vegetarian?

Yes. Omit dried shrimp and replace fish sauce with soy sauce or vegetarian fish sauce.

Is Thai fruit salad spicy?

Traditionally yes, but the chili level can easily be adjusted.

Do I need a mortar and pestle?

It is traditional for Som Tum because it releases flavor from the garlic and chilies, but you can mince the ingredients and mix in a bowl.

Som Tum Fruit (Som Tum Pol La Mai)

Name: Som Tum Fruit (Som Tum Pol La Mai)
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Thai
Ingredients: 2 cloves garlic, peeled; 2 to 4 Thai chilies. Adjust to taste; 2 tablespoons palm sugar, chopped or grated; 2 tablespoons fish sauce; 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice; 1 tablespoon tamarind juice; 2 teaspoons white sugar; 2 tablespoons dried shrimp; 1-2 tablespoons roasted peanuts, crushed; ½ teaspoon chili flakes, optional

Description

Sweet, tangy, spicy, and refreshing, Som Tum Fruit is a vibrant Thai fruit salad tossed in the classic som tum dressing of lime, fish sauce, chilies, and palm sugar. It is one of the most refreshing version of Thailand’s famous papaya salad.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cloves garlic, peeled
2 to 4 Thai chilies. Adjust to taste
2 tablespoons palm sugar, chopped or grated
2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon tamarind juice
2 teaspoons white sugar
2 tablespoons dried shrimp
1-2 tablespoons roasted peanuts, crushed
½ teaspoon chili flakes, optional

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Instructions

Pound garlic and chilies. Add garlic and Thai chilies to a mortar and pestle. Pound gently until crushed and fragrant.

Add palm sugar. Add palm sugar and pound lightly to break it down and combine with the chilies and garlic.
Add liquids. Add lime juice, fish sauce, and tamarind juice. Stir to dissolve the palm sugar and create a balanced dressing.
Add dried shrimp and sugar. Add dried shrimp and white sugar. Lightly pound and stir so the shrimp release their flavor into the dressing.
Add peanuts and chili flakes. Add crushed peanuts and chili flakes. Stir to combine.
Toss the fruit. Place the mixed fruit in a large bowl. Pour the dressing over the fruit and gently toss until evenly coated. Avoid pounding the fruit. This version should stay light and fresh.
Taste and adjust. Add more lime for acidity, fish sauce for saltiness, or sugar for sweetness.
Garnish and serve. Add sprinkles peanuts and chili flakes as preferred before serving. Enjoy it fresh!

Notes

Use crisp fruits. Choose firm fruits so they hold their shape in the dressing.
Use the watermelon rind flesh. The pale white part near the rind is firmer and slightly tangy, which works beautifully in this salad.
Adjust the dressing to the fruit. Fruit sweetness changes by season. Taste and adjust lime juice or sugar to keep the balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy.
Do not pound the fruit. Unlike green papaya som tum, gently toss the fruit with the dressing instead of pounding so the fruit stays fresh and juicy.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Category: Thai salads
Method: Salad
Cuisine: Thai