Paw Paws In Season - SPOILER!

Missouri paw paws are again in season.  I feasted on them this weekend.  They are small-ish so far, but very sweet.  Orchard farmers have been telling me that the drought has resulted in smaller yet sweeter domestic fruit.  It seems to be that way for the wild paw paws.

Here's the spoiler:  Paw paws can be had in St. Louis county in abundance, at Castlewood State Park.  You'll need to hike the trails along the river and locate the stands of paw paw trees.  Another great place to collect is at Aker's Ferry on the Current River.  The trees in this area are laden with fruit and ready for the picking!

So, now you're going to have a nice basket of fruit - if you're ready to hit the forests and bottom-lands.

Kentucky State University posted this nice recipe for paw paw pie:

3/4 c. sugar
2 Tbsp. flour or cornstarch
2 eggs (reserve whites for meringue)
2 c. milk
1 c. pawpaw pulp

Combine sugar and flour. Add egg yolks and milk. When well mixed add pawpaw pulp. Cook until thick and pour into baked pie crust. Cover with meringue and brown in moderate oven.