Pawpawsare America ’s lostfruit . These white potato - shape tree - grown fruit areindigenousto 26 of the United States , with a natural acquire territory ranging from southern Florida north to theCanadianborder and as far west as Nebraska . But they are n’t easy to find unless you get laid where to forage .
Although some attempts have been made to fostercultivatedpawpaws in their non - native states such as California and Oregon , this growth remain problematic for the wild pawpaw .
In many ways , pawpaws bear on to defy attempts to commercialize their production . advanced pawpaws have an incredibly short shelf - life of aboutthree days . And , like garden tomatoes , they are best picked when ripe , which means theydon’t surviveshipping . In plus , papaw are easily spite , and while the yield inside is usually still OK to exhaust , the damaged outside tegument change by reversal black - and - spicy , monish most shoppers .
So , how do you get ahold of this tasty edible fruit , which happen to be thelargestfruit that grow natively in the U.S. ? Most in all probability , you ’ll need to feel a local grower or , if you ’re golden , derive across it at a Farmer ' market during the pawpaws ' natural harvesting season , which runs late summer to other fall .
Although find fresh papaya tree yield takes some doing , you ’ll be honor with the pawpaw’srich taste sensation and decadent grain . Most rooter of the fruit recommend eating it natural , in all its fleshy glory , by outdo it out with a spoon . ( Steer percipient of the inedible , expectant dark brown seeds , and the peel , which contains anerve toxin . ) The papaw ’s interior tastes of tropic delectation with notes of banana , kiwi vine and mango , and the custardy grain offer a luxurious finish . If you have excess yield you ’d like to make use of , there arerecipesfor pawpaws , range from pies and custards to cake and cookies .
If you have a light-green ovolo and would like to grow your own harvest of pawpaws , it is possible in United States Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 5 though 8 ( you’re able to look up your area ’s zonehere ) , as long as the rainfall is sufficient to establish the tree , and as long as you ’re willing topollinatethe Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree by hand . Pawpaw trees are not self - pollinating . In the wild , the dining , travel and defecation habit of beetle and other puppet spread the ejaculate , and insects assistance in fruit pollenation .
If you ’d rather not take an active hand in fostering pawpaw growth , there areother optionsto find out pawpaw yield , including the annualPawpaw Festivalthat takes blank space in Albany , Ohio , each September .
