Green Papaya Salad (Achara)

This a very popular pickled salad in the Philippines.  It is usually served with rice and your favorite grilled or fried fish and meat.  Try it with the Filipino fried chicken or barbeque.  It is so easy to make.  You can find green papayas at most Asian grocery stores.  Adding the red chillies provide some heat.  Reduce or add the number of chillies to adjust to your taste.  They can be removed if you do not want it spicy.

Ingredients:
1 green papaya (cut into julienne strips)
1 carrot (cut into julienne strips)
4 cloves garlic (minced)
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar or coconut vinegar
1-2 red chillies (cut into very thin strips)
1/2 red bell pepper (cut into julienne strips)
1/2 cup raisins and/or sultanas
3 shallots (minced)
1 inch ginger (minced)
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp salt

In a small sauce pan, heat the vinegar, sugar and salt.  Once sugar and salt has disolved, remove sauce pan from heat and allow to cool. 

In a separate bowl, combine the rest of the ingredients.  Pour sweet vinegar over the vegetables in the bowl and mix well.  Store in an airtight container for at least 4 hours or overnight.  Serve with rice and your favorite fried or grilled foods.