Pawpaws at the Pawtuxet market
The pawpaw is a tropical-like fruit native to the forests of the Midwest and parts of the South. We began planting pawpaws a few years ago as part of the search for varieties that might be commercially successful. The fruit looks a little like a mango, with large seeds surrounded by a pulp the consistency of a firm custard, or an avocado, with a taste that some liken to banana, hence its nickname of "Hoosier banana." It is eaten fresh, used in baking, and makes delicious ice cream and smoothies.
Pawpaws are not available in supermarkets because their shelf life is very short. They should be allowed to ripen on the tree, and must be used within two or three days of picking. Most Rhode Islanders have not heard of pawpaws, except possibly in the song "Way Down Yonder in the Paw Paw Patch." So far as we know, there are no large pawpaw orchards in New England (we have about 80 trees in various stages of development), but they are gaining a following in other states, including Ohio and Kentucky, where locally grown pawpaws can sometimes be found at farm stands. One of the pioneers in developing better varieties has marketed his crop at a farmers' market in Washington D.C. An entrepreneur in Ohio ships pawpaws to consumers by overnight delivery.
You can find more information about pawpaws at these sites (the first, sponsored by Kentucky State University, offers a wealth of information):
http://www.pawpaw.kysu.edu/
http://www.petersonpawpaws.com
http://www.integrationacres.co
http://www.pawpaw.tv/