Pawpaw Plenty: 70 Recipes From the Appalachian Patch Cookbooks Book

Discover the Sweet Soul of Appalachia with Pawpaw Plenty: 70 Recipes from the Appalachian PatchIn the misty hills of Grafton, West Virginia, where the Tygart Valley cradles secrets of the land, one fruit reigns supreme: the pawpaw. Known as the “West Virginia banana,” this creamy, tropical treasure—bursting with banana-mango sweetness and a whisper of vanilla—has been foraged for centuries, from Native American trails to Appalachian kitchens. Now, in Pawpaw Plenty: 70 Recipes from the Appalachian Patch, lifelong forager and storyteller Amos T. Blackwell invites you to savor the pawpaw’s magic through 70 mouthwatering recipes that celebrate its versatility and charm.Born from a lifetime of roamin’ pawpaw patches and cookin’ with his grandmother Eula Mae, Amos’s cookbook is a love letter to North America’s largest native fruit and the rugged beauty of his Appalachian home. With a voice as warm as a summer porch swing, he weaves tales of foragin’ along the Tygart River, church picnics, and family suppers into every recipe, makin’ this more than a cookbook—it’s a journey into the heart of West Virginia’s foodways.Inside Pawpaw Plenty, you’ll find a bounty of dishes to suit every craving and occasion, each highlightin’ the pawpaw’s unique flavor:Breakfast: Start your day with Pawpaw Pancakes, fluffy and golden, or a vibrant Pawpaw Smoothie that tastes like a tropical sunrise.Beverages: Sip on a refreshing Pawpaw Lassi or raise a glass to fall with The Mabon Cocktail, a spiced rum delight.Desserts: Indulge in 20 sweets, from the classic Pawpaw Pudding, a caramelized Appalachian staple, to the elegant Pawpaw Panna Cotta, silky and sophisticated.Breads and Baked Goods: Bake up a moist Pawpaw Bread studded with walnuts or flaky Pawpaw Scones for a cozy morning treat.Savory Dishes: Surprise your palate with Pawpaw Salsa, a sweet-spicy dip, or a creamy Pawpaw Curry Sauce over grilled chicken.Preserves: Bottle summer with Pawpaw Jam or velvety Pawpaw Butter, perfect for toast or gifting.Miscellaneous: Get creative with Pawpaw Fruit Roll-Ups for kids or a sticky Pawpaw Wing Sauce for game day.With 70 recipes, Pawpaw Plenty caters to every skill level, from novice cooks to seasoned chefs. Each dish comes with detailed instructions, metric and imperial measurements, prep and cook times, and Amos’s best tips—like how to keep your jam from stickin’ or your scones flaky. Plus, every recipe includes a unique fact about pawpaws, revealin’ their history as a Native American staple, a Thomas Jefferson favorite, or a lifeline for the Lewis and Clark Expedition.Amos don’t just share recipes; he shares know-how. Learn to forage pawpaws responsibly, spot ripe fruit (soft as a ripe peach), and store pulp for year-round use (freeze it for up to 12 months). He warns of the fruit’s quirks—some folks find cooked pawpaw tough on the stomach, so start with raw dishes like smoothies—and offers flavor-pairing advice (citrus and vanilla are pawpaw’s best friends). Whether you’re in West Virginia or halfway ’cross the globe, Amos guides you to pawpaw sources, from farmers’ markets to online pulp suppliers like Integration Acres.More than a cookbook, Pawpaw Plenty is a celebration of Appalachian culture, with stories of Grafton’s railroad history, church suppers, and the pawpaw’s place in local lore. Amos’s folksy voice brings the hills to life, makin’ you feel like you’re sittin’ at his table, swappin’ tales over a slice of Pawpaw Pound Cake. It’s a book for anyone who loves food, history, or the joy of discoverin’ somethin’ new.Ready to taste the pawpaw patch? Pawpaw Plenty: 70 Recipes from the Appalachian Patch is available now at booksellers and online at x.ai/pawpawplenty. Order your copy, plant a pawpaw tree, and join Amos in preservin’ the sweet soul of Appalachia, one delicious bite at a time.