uvlocalvores : field notes

What’s a banana-loving Localvore to do? For Hanover Localvore Catherine Hoyle, interest in finding a locally grown substitute for bananas has led to research in pawpaws, a tropical-like fruit that grows in the eastern U.S. Its taste has been compared to banana and mango, sometimes with a hint of pineapple.

Catherine recently visited the pawpaw experimental orchard at Cornell and brought back a variety of pawpaws for taste testing. About 25 people gathered at Dartmouth’s Sustainable Living Center on Oct. 14th to learn more and to sample pawpaws.

The pawpaw has attracted interest among organic growers, as a native fruit which has few pests and requires little pesticide use. (Pawpaw leaves, twigs, and bark contain natural insecticides.) Shipping and storage have posed problems because of ease of bruising and short shelf life. (Freezing may be the commercial solution.) Among home gardeners, pawpaws are gaining in popularity because of the appeal of fresh fruit and because of relatively low maintenance once planted.

Localvores Sylvia, Eve, Margaret, and Jen seemed quite knowledgeable about the possibilities for pawpaws. Sylvia, who has done much experimenting with growing season-extending produce and grains, has already planted two pawpaws trees this year in her zone 5 microclimate.

Here is Sylvia savoring the aroma of a ripe pawpaw.

It is hoped that the research at Cornell will continue, developing the tastiest varieties, with larger fruit and smaller seeds. The fruits are not pretty (one writer commented that it was unfortunate the label “ugli” has already been used); chilled pawpaw pulp (George Washington’s favorite method) might be the most aesthetically pleasing way to serve and eat pawpaws. But for banana-loving Localvores, pawpaws may be the local answer.

Sampling pawpaws:

And Jen, pickin’ up pawpaws.

Thanks to Catherine for sharing her knowledge and her pawpaws, to the Sustainable Living Center for hosting the event, and to Jen Risley for the photos.

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