Posted on 09/21/2023 9:27:06 AM PDT by Red Badger
(Last Updated On: September 12, 2023)
NATIONAL PAWPAW DAY | THIRD THURSDAY IN SEPTEMBER
National Pawpaw Day on the third Thursday in September provides a taste of the great (forgotten) American fruit. Take a bite out of a creamy mango-banana flavored pawpaw to celebrate!
#NationalPawpawDay
Despite their tropical taste and appearance, many pawpaws grow natively in the United States. With over 60 varieties of pawpaw to choose from, the fruit’s character changes slightly in each one.
With a blend of banana and mango and sometimes pineapple, we shouldn’t be surprised by the names given to the pawpaw. For example, the Kentucky Banana and Hillbilly Mango hint at the exciting tropical experience awaiting us. Interestingly, the pawpaw is the largest edible fruit native to the United States.
Pawpaw in History
Pawpaws are a rich part of the fabric of American history and have been from the very beginning. For example, the pawpaw Native American diets included the pawpaw as an integral part of their diets. Some may have cultivated the pawpaw, too. However, early Europeans confused the pawpaw with the papaya.
As part of United States history, rumor suggests the pawpaw was George Washington’s favorite dessert. Presidential farmer, Thomas Jefferson, cultivated the tree at Monticello. Additionally, while Jefferson served as minister to France in 1786, he shipped pawpaw seeds to friends living there. During the Corps of Discovery, Lewis and Clark wrote in their journals that they were quite fond of the pawpaw. At one point during their expedition in 1806, they relied on pawpaws when other provisions ran low.
While many people have never tasted the sweet, custard-like fruit, the day sets out to change that. This seasonal fruit enjoys a peak harvest time from late August through the first frost. Given that markets and festivals across the country offer samples, there’s ample opportunity to taste your first pawpaw.
HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL PAWPAW DAY
Visit an orchard near you to pick a delicious pawpaw or sample them at a local farmer’s market. While you’re at it, discover recipes for desserts, too! Invite friends to discover this truly American fruit. Consider learning more about cultivating pawpaws and planting a couple. Maybe you’ll have your own pawpaw fruit in a few years to enjoy. Use #NationalPawpawDay to share on social media.
NATIONAL PAWPAW DAY HISTORY
Kentucky State UniversityKYSU Land Grant Program Logo Green founded National Pawpaw Day in 2019 to celebrate the delicious fruit and raise awareness of its history in the United States. Through their one-of-a-kind pawpaw research program, the KSU Land Grant Program strives to improve growing methods, breed new improved cultivars, develop new pawpaw products, and gain a better understanding of the fruit.
DATES:
21 September 2023
19 September 2024
18 September 2025
17 September 2026
16 September 2027
21 September 2028
20 September 2029
19 September 2030
18 September 2031
The Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed National Pawpaw Day in 2019 to be observed on the third Thursday in September, annually.
Pawpaw FAQ
Q. What can I make with pawpaws?
A. Anything you make with other fruits you can make with pawpaws. For example, add pawpaws to your baking or salads. You can also make jams and jellies. How does pawpaw ice cream sound to you? It sounds delicious to us!
Q. Do pawpaws have seeds?
A. Yes and it’s important to note that if chewed, the seeds can be toxic. Additionally, the skin of the pawpaw should not be ingested either.
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September 21st Celebrated History
1893
Brothers Charles and Frank Duryea road-test the first American-made gasoline-powered automobile. The brothers went on to establish the Duryea Motor Wagon Company, the first American automobile manufacturer in the United States.
1897
The John Deere trademark is registered by Deere and Co. That same year, the New York Sun published a reply to 6-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon answering her question, “Is there a Santa Claus?”
1937
George Allen and Unwin publish J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit. The novel introduces the world to Bilbo Baggins and his mystical world.
1970
Monday Night Football premieres on ABC with the Cleveland Browns taking home the win over the New York Jets.
1985
Larry Holmes defends his heavyweight title for the 49th time against Michael Spinks. In a 15 round bout, Spinks came out on top in a split decision.
2003
NASA’s Galileo space probe completed its mission to Jupiter when the probe burned up in Jupiter’s atmosphere. The purposeful destruction of the probe was to prevent any inadvertent contamination to Jupiter’s moons.
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September 21st Celebrated Birthdays
H.G. Wells – 1866
The prolific author is best known for his science fiction stories such as War of the Worlds and The Time Machine.
Allen Lane – 1902
The British publisher joined with his brothers Richard and John to found Penguin Books.
Charles “Chuck” Jones – 1912
The animator worked on Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies films bringing Bugs Bunny and Elmer Fudd to life.
Helen Foster Snow – 1907
The American journalist gain prominence in China for her work reporting on Revolutionary China in the 1930s.
Gloria Cordes – 1931
The right-handed pitcher played five seasons with the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. During her tenure, Cordes recorded exceptional skills and was named to the All-Star in both 1952 and 1954.
Stephen King – 1947
Since 1967, the novelist has been keeping readers awake with his suspenseful horror stories. Books like Carrie and Salems Lot found their way to the big screen. The writer also produces original screenplays. The demand for King’s work has created a demand so powerful that 2019 and 2020 alone over 30 adaptations, original screenplays, series, or film shorts have been completed, announced, or launched production.
Anne Burrell – 1969
The spunky chef and television personality co-hosts the Food Network series Worst Cooks in America. She has also written several cookbooks.
Quite a collection of musicians on that album
Yes, but the Paw Paw Negro Blowtorch was also an actual guy.
I went out to the way back, and scouted around for a while. Didn’t find any pawpaw trees, darn it! I have an app that helps identify trees, birds, animals, insects, etc. and all it showed up was ash among the tulip trees, the hickories, the maples, and buckeye trees. So unless pawpaws are related to ash, I didn’t see any, and certainly found nothing with fruit on it.
I did find some beautiful Great Blue Lobelia on my way to the creek, and I think I’m going to see if I can dig up a few of them and transplant them closer to my house in a wildflower garden that I have. That will make the little journey I took very worthwhile.
Great blue lobelia
https://catskillnativenursery.shop/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/0237127D-4199-4428-9523-12EF3A9F1D2C-scaled.jpeg
Awesome! We have 4 very mature trees that have borne fruit for 5 years now. We are in west Michigan. Also have two young trees coming up. My first taste of a pawpaw was over 20 years ago and I still think it is the most wonderful fruit I have ever eaten.
Frozen fruit pulp will last one year frozen.
Freeper thread from 2009. Article about my brother.
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2182776/posts
Interesting thread; thanks for reposting it.
Let me see if Central Market carries the fruit.
Spread the word, er, I mean the seeds!...............
“ In fact south of me there is a small town- Paw Paw, Illinois.”
I’ve seen them growing wild in a couple of the DuPage Forest Preserves but I never knew what they were until now.
L
Me too. I had heard of them, but I had no idea what or where they were.
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