Until I was in high school, the I knew the fruit you know as papaya only by its Cuban name – Frutabomba.
My dad taught me how to make frutabomba milkshakes, a true Cuban drink delicacy. It’s smooth, creamy and the perfect accompaniment to a Cuban sandwich (made the vegetarian way, of course) or even a TuNo Salad Sandwich. I had it this morning for breakfast.
FRUTABOMBA MILKSHAKE
1/4 medium-sized frutabomba (papaya), peeled and seeded 1 cup milk or soy-milk 1 1/2 tbs brown sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla powder pinch of salt 3-4 ice cubes
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Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.
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Enjoy immediately.
Do not omit the salt… it’s the secret ingredient that makes the milkshake taste awesome. You could substitute the milk for yogurt or kefir, but the taste will not be the same.
I have never heard it called Frutabomba as my familia calls it Lechosa (but I kinda like Frutabomba better). This is almost identical to a shake my mami makes all the time. I’m closing my eyes and day dreaming about how delicious it is.