It's Pawpaw Harvest Time. How Will You Celebrate this American Original?

Pawpaw & seeds. Photo cdresz on Flickr.

Here’s a local, edible fruit that I’ve not heard of in a long time: the pawpaw, aka, Hoosier banana or the poor man’s banana.

A long time ago, I’d heard that these odd mango-looking fruits – the largest native to America – were edible. But until this week, I’d never considered them as an ingredient in a confection.

Thankfully, the creative forces behind 240Sweet, the artisnal marshmallow and candy company run by members of the iFarmer’s extended family, are continuing to dream up new ways to make treats out of what they can find growing organically nearby.

Photo from Mid-Week Market in August.

I don’t have many details yet and I haven’t tried them (I’ll be calling tomorrow to see if I can place an order), but the 240Sweet’s Facebook page noted that the “September Puff of the Month” is Pawpaw Almond.

The pulp was made from organic pawpaw, picked by Brother Joachim, who picked them from an abbey patch in Kentucky, according to the status update.

OK. Clearly there’s a story behind that line too.

If you’re lucky enough to be going to the sold-out Chicago Gourmet, maybe you can get some answers since 240Sweet will be there, treats in hand.

Meanwhile…be on the lookout for pawpaws, which are being harvested this month and next. Find pawpaw recipes here at the Kentucky State University’s site.

And if you’re near Albany, Ohio, don’t miss the Pawpaw Festival. Today’s the last day.