Delicious papaya in a tasty syrup, what is not to like? It goes perfect with a piece of cheese!
Cut the papaya in halves. Peel the skin and with a spoon, remove the seeds and membranes inside. Cut the papaya into slices, approximately 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick.
Place all the pieces in a plastic container and fill it up with water and the baking soda. This will help the slices to stay together and not break up. Soak in the baking soda water for 1 hour.
After the hour is over, drain all the water and rinse with fresh water the pieces of papaya. You might want to rinse twice to make sure all the baking soda is removed from the papaya.
Set a pot in medium-high on your stove and place the papaya pieces, the sugar, cloves, vanilla extract and cinnamon sticks in the pot and start to boil Once is boiling, reduce the temperature to medium and cover, let it cook for 40 minutes. Stir the papaya pieces at least twice during that cooking period.
By this time, there should be a syrup forming cooking the papayas. Check if the papayas are cooked. If they aren't, let it cook covered for 10 more minutes. If they are, remove the cover and let it cook, stirring the papaya pieces gently and keeping an eye on your syrup. Let it cook for 20 minutes.
When the syrup is thick, and a beautiful caramel color, your candy is ready! Let is cook and store in the refrigerator. It will last for several weeks in the refrigerator.