Baked Papaya with Meat Filling

Ingredients

 * 5 to 6 lbs green papaya cut lengthwise into halves and seeded
 * 4 medium firm ripe tomatoes, peeled, seeded and finely chopped
 * 3 tbsp vegetable oil
 * 1 tsp finely chopped chilies
 * ½ cup finely chopped onion
 * 1 tsp salt
 * ½ tsp finely chopped garlic
 * 1 lb lean ground beef
 * 4 tbsp Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
 * ground black pepper

Directions

 * 1) Preheat the oven to 350°F.
 * 2) In a heavy 10 to 12 inch skillet, heat the oil over moderate heat until a light haze forms above it.
 * 3) Sauté onions and garlic until they are soft and transparent but not brown.
 * 4) Stir in the beef breaking it up with a fork and cook until all traces of pink disappear.
 * 5) Add the tomatoes (or substitute 1½ cups chopped, drained canned tomatoes), chilies, salt and pepper.
 * 6) Stirring occasionally, cook briskly until most of the liquid in the pan has evaporated and the mixture is thick enough to hold its shape almost solidly in the spoon.
 * 7) Taste for seasoning.
 * 8) Spoon the meat mixture into the papaya shells, spreading and smoothing the filling with a spatula.
 * 9) Place the shells side by side in a shallow roasting pan.
 * 10) Pour enough boiling water in the pan to come about 1 inch up the sides of the papaya.
 * 11) Bake for 1 hour then sprinkle each shell with 1 tbsp of the cheese and bake for 30 minutes, or until the top is delicately browned.
 * 12) Top shells with remaining cheese when ready to serve.