Fantastic story Rich,

Since getting back from Thailand, I've cooked Laab several times (love the stuff).... with pork or turkey mince, but I must source some more exotic meat. Think I saw a hedgehog in the bushes earlier.

Also have made Papaya Salad, and Pad Thai but that's another story.  Papaya salad is great but here in the UK, very expensive.  ?5.50 a kilo and that's from a wholesalers.  How many Baht does a medium sized one cost in Thailand ?

Have a look in the freezer section of a descent asian supermarket. I get ready-shredded green papaya at about a quid for 500g. Apparently it's better for salad than fresh.

I've had some mean laap in Thailand/ Laos, brutally hot, don't think there was any porcupine in it, rat I wouldn't be surprised!

Fried..  Thanks for the info on frozen papaya.  I will keep a look out.

Recorde John Torodes trip to Argentina last week.  Watched it  last night.  They had roasted Armadillo in the street market for sale.  He didn't try it!