Pawpaw Season

A fruit largely forgotten but extremely delicious, the pawpaw was eaten for hundreds of years by the Native Americans, before the colonists arrived. Pawpaw is indigenous to eastern parts of the United States, including the Mid-Atlantic region, the more northern parts of the South, and west into Missouri, Kansas, and Arkansas.

It is a hard fruit to come across because its season is so short and cultivating it has proven to be extremely difficult.

The flavor of pawpaw is almost like tropical fruit. Also called custard fruit or Indiana banana, it lends itself really well to custard-type preparations, sorbets and ice creams. A fresh pawpaw is truly a treat and should be experienced if one has the chance.

If you are interested in reading more about pawpaws, check out Andrew Moore’s book, “Pawpaw: In Search of America’s Forgotten Fruit.”