The Quasi Epic Fail

Puzzled by the title?

I probably would be too, except I was here when...

My son brought a huge bundle of paw paws from Grandpa's tree. Grandpa apparently likes the tree but had never harvested the fruit. My son decided we should taste the fruit.

Photo courtesy

We cut one open and found seeds, larger and thicker than watermelon seeds, and dotted throughout the fruit. The seeds, I'm told, should not be eaten. The fruit, had a creamy mushy texture like squished bananas. The taste was a mix between a mango, pear, and banana. 

So, now...proud son wants Mom (that's the role I played in this story), to make Paw Paw jam. Uh, yea...not so much. I pictured banana jam and couldn't see it working. 

He separated the fruit from the skin and seeds, put it in a bowl, and set it in the fridge. On his way out the door he said, "I have the paw paws all ready for you to make jam when you're ready, Mom."

At this point, I was desperately racking my mind for a way to use these paw paws. What banana recipes could I try for the paw paws. Bread? Cake? The winning idea was paw paw cream pie.

I found this recipe for banana cream pie on the food network:

Take 6 graham crackers, break in half and 

crush in a food processor

add 2 tablespoons butter and 1 1/2 tablespoons water, mix 

press graham cracker mixture into a pie pan. (Spray the pan to keep pie from sticking) and bake at 350 degrees for ten minutes.

put 1 1/2 tablespoons unflavored gelatin in a bowl. Add three tablespoons boiling water. Stir and set aside to gel.

In a separate bowl mix 1/3 cup + 1 teaspoon sugar, 

3 tablespoons flour, 1 1/2 cup milk, 2 egg yolks, and 1 teaspoon vanilla






whip together then poor in saucepan. Stir over high heat until mixture boils. Turn off heat and add the gelatin. Stir. 

Layer paw paws (or 3 bananas cut into little slices) on top of the graham cracker crust.

Poor the custard over the paw paws. Smooth the top and put in fridge for 3 hours to set. Do not cover with plastic wrap because it will mar the surface.

Remove from fridge and decorate with whip cream if desired.

Paw Paw Cream Pie

So when a dessert is normally served to family members, an overwhelming need to inhale said dessert takes place. But this paw paw dessert was new.

It used a new fruit.

One we hadn't incorporated as a regularly served item to eat.

Hubby, son, and daughter took a bite. "Good, Mom." Was their answer. But those diplomats didn't ask for seconds. They didn't even finish the small sample serving I gave.



Hours later I took the photo of the pie....yep, no one sneaked in the fridge to have a second piece.

Conclusion--paw paw cream pie is not one I recommend serving your mother-in-law, or your mother, or company...or anyone, not even the dog or cat.

It didn't taste bad. The custard on top slithered down into the paw paws and gave them a sweeter taste. 

It's just....yeah...a Quasi Epic Fail.

Do you have any ideas for paw paws? 

....My son planted three trees in our field. 

.........We will have plenty to share--hint, hint.

This post has been brought to you by the one-word: It-never-hurts-to-try-or-does-it