The Tropical Fruit That Grows in Pittsburgh

Have you ever tried a pawpaw? The fruit is ripe for tasting this time of year, and they grow right in our backyard, in our forests, and near our waterways. Hey Pittsburgh editor Francesca Dabecco is here to share some history of this native tree, plus some tips and tricks for finding or foraging its tropical flavor.

We love to cite our sources!

• Become a pawpaw nerd like Francesca and read “Pawpaw, In Search of American’s Forgotten Fruit,” by Pittsburgh author Andrew Moore.
• Learn about pawpaw’s Indigenous roots with The Allegheny Front
• Here’s a YouTube guide for how to find pawpaws in the wild
• Pittsburgh Reddit suggested a bunch of spots to find them in Pgh, but we have not vetted them!

Taste and celebrate at these regional events:

• Grow Pittsburgh’s Paw Paw Parties at Garden Dreams in Wilkinsburg - 9/12 & 9/19
• 8th Annual Paw Paw Festival in Fredrick, MD 9/16
• Ohio Pawpaw Festival in Albany 9/15 - 9/17
• York County’s 19th Annual Pawpaw Fest 9/23-9/24
• 2023 WV Pawpaw Festival at WVU Core Arboretum - 9/30

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