Pawpaws

I love pawpaws...though I've never tasted one.  To be honest, I hadn't even heard about them until a few years ago when I read Paradise Lot by Eric Toensmeier.  I so enjoyed reading about their urban garden, but when I read about pawpaws was hooked.  I bought these from their  Food Forest Farm and planted them here at home, thinking eventually I'd transplant them to camp.

From personal experience I already know that they seem to be very hardy.  The one on the left was broken by a young boy I love despite the fact he steps on my plants.  It came back from the small twig it that was left to a smaller than it's sister, but doing fine little tree.  So I went ahead and ordered a couple more to plant this fall from FFF.

Oh, and there's a new book out that's feeding my pawpaw love...Pawpaw (aptly named) by Andrew Moore who lives in neighboring Pittsburgh.  Yes my fascination with this native tree is growing.  It might be that I'm a bit too excited...a few friends have had to listen to my geeky gushing over them.

So here I am with a couple pawpaws at home and a soon-to-be baby pawpaw patch at camp...and I've never tasted one of the creamy banana custardish fruits.  Rumor has it I have a few years to go before I get to.

I normally feel I can learn anything by reading a book.  And I have learned a lot about pawpaws and native plants by reading.  But alas, reading can't really let me taste one...and thus my waiting continues!!

When I first mentioned them to my husband, he remembered a pawpaw song from scouting (he was—is—an Eagle Scout) so, here's a YouTube version...with a real pawpaw in the background!

Holly

PS. Yes, I know, you're all shocked that I'm so public with my wild, wild ways!  LOL