Pastit (Papaya Turnover)

A candied papaya filling in a crust. This was something my mom made daily when I was growing up. It was the most requested Saipan, MP pastry. Even though she didn't have the chance to pass it on to us, I used my past experience and made this Chamorro concoction.

Prep Time:
30 mins
Cook Time:
40 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 10 mins
Servings:
24
Yield:
2 dozen
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 24 servings

  • 2 unripe papayas - peeled, halved, seeded, and cut into cubes

  • ½ cup white sugar

  • ½ cup brown sugar

  • 1 pinch salt

  • 1 pinch ground cinnamon

  • 1 (15 ounce) package pastry for a 9-inch double-crust pie

  • 1 egg yolk, beaten

Directions

  1. Place the papaya cubes in a blender, a few at a time; blend until shredded.

  2. Combine 2 cups shredded papaya, white sugar, brown sugar, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat; cook and stir until sugars dissolve, about 5 minutes. Stir cinnamon into papaya mixture and remove saucepan from heat. Drain juice from papaya mixture using a strainer.

  3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet.

  4. Roll pie crusts on a work surface and cut out twenty-four 4-inch circles using a biscuit cutter or a cup. Spoon a small spoonful of papaya mixture into the center of each circle. Fold each circle in half over the papaya, creating a half-circle. Press the edges together using a fork and poke the top for ventilation. Place turnovers 1 inch apart on the prepared baking sheet.

  5. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Brush the top of each turnover with egg yolk and continue baking until golden brown, about 15 minutes more.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

123 Calories
6g Fat
17g Carbs
1g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 24
Calories 123
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 6g 7%
Saturated Fat 1g 7%
Cholesterol 9mg 3%
Sodium 93mg 4%
Total Carbohydrate 17g 6%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 9g
Protein 1g 2%
Vitamin C 8mg 9%
Calcium 10mg 1%
Iron 1mg 3%
Potassium 52mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.