Processing Pawpaws

It's that time of year (Sept-Oct) when Missouri's native tropical fruit is ready for collecting and processing.
If you've never used pawpaws in your recipes, you might want to give it a try.
MDC videographer Kevin Muenks provides some helpful tips in prepping this large, sweet fruit.
For more info: mdc.mo.gov/dis...

[@mattschmitt9924]

I love to hunt for PawPaws. I cut them in half and squeeze out the fruit instead of peeling. Thanks for the video.

[@brewster91]

Thank you for this video. I'll have to keep my eye out for that strainer when I'm at estate sales. For those who do not have the large strainer, I use a serrated grapefruit spoon to scoop the flesh from the skin. The tiny teeth on the spoon provide the right amount of cutting power to get the pulp to separate from the delicate green outer skin. I do this on a flexible kitchen cutting mat so I can scrape any excess pulp into my bowl. I'm going to try using a flat cheese grater to gently remove additional pulp/membrane from the seeds. An immersion blender will make quick work of pureeing the pulp if you don't what to transfer it to a food processor or blender. I use souper cubes, those 2 cup silicone freezer trays, to freeze the pulp in 1 & 2 cup bricks for stack-able freezer storage. Does anyone else have a good idea for paw paw processing?

[@teejin669]

Your way sounds the best. I have never held a pawpaw but they look to be around the right shape where a potato peeler may be useful.

[@cgpcgp3239]

We have pawpaws in Pennsylvania. But you have to forage for them. I love them.

[@everettduncan7543]

I don't peel, I would rather to scoop the flesh out and peel the pulp off of the seeds

[@missourimongoose8858]

I just collected a whole 5 gallon bucket just by shaking a few trees, i eat them sometimes but mostly collect them to feed the elk we have as a fall treat, they love them

[@hopescott4161]

Very helpful, thank you! I never would have thought of using my chinois for this!!

[@WiseBarnOwl]

WOw! How cool! Thank you for this video.

[@williamsharek5085]

I am shopping for a CHINOIS.... that has a built-in bowl..... like in your video. I could not find one. Only the strainer. Can you tell us where to buy the full set?

[@moconservation]

This one was purchased from an older family member, so not sure how old it actually is. I would suggest just purchasing one that has a stand. These can be placed over a bowl that the person may already have or that can be purchased separately. As an alternative, some people use a food mill to process the fruit, but I've not done so myself and can't testify how well it works.

[@patmccrady6063]

Could you process with a food mill instead?

[@thomasashe2681]

I have tried looking but everyone around here says pawpaw is another name for papaya.

[@CausticTitan]

Pawpaws are not going to be in any grocery store. They only grow in temperate deciduous forests, like those found across the midwest and Appalachia. They spoil only one or two days after picking if they are not processed and preserved.

[@mangosteen508]

Appreciate the vid

[@thomasashe2681]

Where can I get some here in Southern Middle Tennessee? What is their max height and spread?

[@missourimongoose8858]

They grow by rivers and creeks, they get about 30 ft max and there leaves are big and tear dropped shaped hope this helps

[@pamelak7924]

I wish you would've added some recipes

[@moconservation]

Here's one: ua-cam.com/video/Aypkior-xR8/v-deo.html

[@thomasashe2681]

Is the skin of the pawpaw not edible?

[@CausticTitan]

It is not pleasant to eat. Similar to eating a banana peel.

[@patrickbelongea6896]

My experience is that if you eat paw paw that isnt ripe at all, it will give you diarrhea in about six hours.

[@mranderson168]

I wonder if this was ever used this way medicinally.

[@CausticTitan]

That is true of most fruit lol