Papaya Scones

When the girls pop over for coffee in the morning or your Mother-in-law shows up for tea in the afternoon, treat them with these.

• 2/3 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg
• 3 cups flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup butter (cold, so you can grate it)
• 1/2 cup dried papaya, chopped
• 1/4 cup golden raisins
• 1 tsp. grated lime zest
• 1 tbsp. softened butter
• Butter, (you might even want to use a flavoured butter, listed on this site)
• Preserves of your choice

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.  Pour the buttermilk into a measuring cup and beat in the egg.

In a large bowl, blend together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Grate the butter into the flour mixture and bring together with your hands.

Add the papaya, raisins,  zest and stir to mix.  Add the buttermilk all at once and stir until a soft dough forms. At this point, you may have to add up to a 1/4 cup of buttermilk.

Turn the dough onto a floured board and knead 6-7 times until well mixed. Pat out until it is about 1″ thick.  Dip the rim of a glass in flour (no bigger than 2″) and cut out the scones.  Place them on a parchment lined pan and bake anywhere from 18-20 minutes.  Brush the tops with the softened butter and serve warm with fresh butter and preserves.

Of course, this sounds like tea should be served along with them. Your choice.