Pawpaw Pie

The unique flavor of the pawpaw resembles a blend of various tropical flavors, including banana, pineapple and mango. The flavor and custard-like texture make pawpaws a good substitute for bananas in almost any recipe. The common names, 'poor man's banana,' 'American custard apple,' and 'Kentucky banana' reflect these qualities.

Yield: 8 servings

The Pawpaw Patch Song

Where, oh where, is dear little Nellie?

Where, oh where, is dear little Nellie?
Where, oh where, is dear little Nellie?
Way down yonder in the pawpaw patch.

Come on, boys, let's go find her.
Come on, boys, let's go find her,
Come on, boys, let's go find her,
Way down yonder in the pawpaw patch.

Picking up pawpaws, puttin' 'em in your pocket,
Picking up pawpaws, puttin' 'em in your pocket,
Picking up pawpaws, puttin' 'em in your pocket,
Way down yonder in the pawpaw patch.

Ingredients

Pie Crust

• 1 (9-inch) baked pie crust*

Filling

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or cornstarch
• 2 large eggs (reserve whites for meringue)
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup pawpaw pulp

Meringue

• 3 egg whites, room temperature
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 6 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Filling

1. In large sauce pan, combine sugar and flour. Add egg yolks and milk. When well mixed add pawpaw pulp. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened.
2. Pour filling into baked pie crust.

Meringue

1. With electric mixer, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy.
2. Beat in sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time; continue beating until stiff and glossy. Add vanilla extract. Do not under-beat.
3. Cover with meringue and brown in oven.
4. Cool completely before serving.

Notes

* Use store bought, ready-to-use pie pastry, or your favorite recipe for homemade pie pastry.

Attribution

Recipe used with permission from Kentucky State University.