Papaya-Habanero Hot Sauce

This Caribbean pepper is famous for being the hottest chile pepper in the world. They come in a variety of shapes and colors (yellow, orange, green, red, chocolate). Not only are they extremely hot, but they also have a unique, distinctively fruity flavor. It is the key ingredient in the popular Jamaican Jerk sauce. The habanero is also widely used in many different types of hot sauces. The popularity of this chile pepper continues to grow and is becoming easier to find on the grocery shelf.

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Makes about 3 cups.

INGREDIENTS
1 Caribbean red papaya, peeled, seeded, and roughly diced
1 habanero pepper, stemmed and seeded (add 1 additional habanero for an extra spicy sauce)
1/4 cup diced shallots
1/4 cup white vinegar
1/4 cup fresh juice, from 3 to 4 limes
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon freshly minced garlic (about 1 medium clove)
1 teaspoon freshly minced ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
Pinch ground cinnamon
Pinch ground nutmeg
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

Place papaya, habanero(s), shallots, vinegar, lime juice, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, allspice, cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg in jar of a blender. Puree until smooth.

Transfer mixture to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Let cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to a week.