Bob Andy pie

[OldGreyMare]

Which should probably be called "Paw -paw custard", but it got called Bob Andy here.

Since talk of persimmons came up, paw paw season started a while back and should be wrapping up. If you've never tried ripe paw-paw you probably should give it a whirl (hunting them up can be half the fun, by the way).

1 C. milk
1 C. cream
3 eggs
3/4 C. of sugar (I say adjust to taste on this one: if you like it a little less sweet, then cut the sugar to 1/2 C., don't think it will hurt it at all)
1 C. whipped paw paw (make sure they're ripe -- so don't be put off by spots on the fruit; paw paws should be soft and have a distinctly paw paw smell to them when they're picked; don't worry, it's a good smell, so sniff away -- they usually don't get that way until they have a few spots on them...but be sure to use them up right away, as I find they don't keep too well; peel them, seed them, and try not to eat all of them before you make them into something...kinda like persimmons)

Beat the ingredients all together and pour into a pie shell (it always had a cracker crust shell here, but no reason it can't have a regular one). Back in a 450 oven for about 15 minutes, and then 325 until a knife comes out clean from the center. Sprinkle with a little cinnamon and nutmeg, and allow it to cool.

 

[diane]

There's something different! Pawpaws don't grow out here and they are a strange looking fruit - but tasty.

 

[OldGreyMare]

It doesn't keep well at all, so that's probably a good reason for its lack of popularity. However, from a period standpoint, as well as just a good eats pov, it bears checking out (plus I hear the things are supposed to be good nutritionally).

 

[Tumbleweed]

Since they don't grow around here I knew nothing of Paw Paws other than we sang a song about them in grade school: "Picking up Paw Paws, puttin' 'em in your pocket, way down yonder in the Paw Paw patch." Anyway, I decided to do a bit of research and for anyone fortunate enough to have access to them, the Kentucky State University has a number of recipes for Paw Paws.

 

[OldGreyMare]

Great find, and yeah, pick them, don't shake them. Anyone up for trying to make paw paw liquor? I notice they say they don't have a recipe for that...to the best of my knowledge nobody in the family turned them into moonshine (even though the eating of paw paws and the production of spirits wasn't unknown).

 

[Blessmag]

Illinois troops in Arkansas 1863 and 1864 found and ate paw-paws. First time ever for those farm boys.

"Monday Sept. 7th 1863

This morning we waked at daylight but did not start till about 8 so we had time to cook some good pork as some Inf. & Cav. Passed us. As our way was through a wooded section & the road winding we moved slowly till M. when we reached a very large plantation extending along the Road & bayou about 2 miles & back a considerable distance. Nearly all of it was planted to corn which was very large, also a large piece of Sweet Potatoes of which I dug a few which we had for Supper. They were very good. We camped about 1 ½ miles from the Ark. River where it is expected we shall cross it. … Today I for the first time saw some paw paws, a persimmons, & ate muscatine grapes. The soil is very sandy but not to much so. The country is not settled a tenth part as it should be".

Civil War Journal of James B. Lockney

 

[OldGreyMare]

Interesting. As a bit of an historical note, a goodly portion of my mom's family originally hailed from KY and TN (originally NC and LA), and just sort of meandered their way up north -- which might explain some gastronomical differences in their culinary repertoire among other things (not that I would complain about it at all; the home cooking was pretty good around here, if I say so myself).

 

[ole]

Since they don't grow around here I knew nothing of Paw Paws other than we sang a song about them in grade school: "Picking up Paw Paws, puttin' 'em in your pocket, way down yonder in the Paw Paw patch." Anyway, I decided to do a bit of research and for anyone fortunate enough to have access to them, the Kentucky State University has a number of recipes for Paw Paws.

Looked into that. The page was prepared, in part, by Snake C. Jones. Who names a kid Snake?

 

[Tumbleweed]

Looked into that. The page was prepared, in part, by Snake C. Jones. Who names a kid Snake?

I don't know. Maybe his parents were fans of these two.

 

[Seduzal]

Sounds tasty, have to try it. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Northern Light]

As Tumbleweed said, the only thing I know about Paw Paws is the song! Weird that we would be singing that in Canada!

 

[OldGreyMare]

There are people who name their kids Apple, Phoenix, and Xerxes Leonidas...heck, there are even people who name their kids Adolf Hitler and Che Guevara...Snake is fairly tame really.

The song must have been fairly popular at one time? The American music scene has been pretty pervasive on the global scene for quite some time?

 

[Northern Light]

Which should probably be called "Paw -paw custard", but it got called Bob Andy here.

Since talk of persimmons came up, paw paw season started a while back and should be wrapping up. If you've never tried ripe paw-paw you probably should give it a whirl (hunting them up can be half the fun, by the way).

1 C. milk
1 C. cream
3 eggs
3/4 C. of sugar (I say adjust to taste on this one: if you like it a little less sweet, then cut the sugar to 1/2 C., don't think it will hurt it at all)
1 C. whipped paw paw (make sure they're ripe -- so don't be put off by spots on the fruit; paw paws should be soft and have a distinctly paw paw smell to them when they're picked; don't worry, it's a good smell, so sniff away -- they usually don't get that way until they have a few spots on them...but be sure to use them up right away, as I find they don't keep too well; peel them, seed them, and try not to eat all of them before you make them into something...kinda like persimmons)

Beat the ingredients all together and pour into a pie shell (it always had a cracker crust shell here, but no reason it can't have a regular one). Back in a 450 oven for about 15 minutes, and then 325 until a knife comes out clean from the center. Sprinkle with a little cinnamon and nutmeg, and allow it to cool.

From Wikipedia: Bob Andy pie is a sweet pie. It is similar to a custard pie that is spiced with cinnamon and cloves. It is often said to have originated among the Amish and is named for two legendary gelding workhorses.

 

[OldGreyMare]

LOL! The things you learn! That may explain why it was so popular at home! Guess Grandma made a variant (although she did make it without the paw paws when they weren't in season, and it was just a cream custard then).
Another segment of the family did hail from Pennsylvania/Ohio and made their way west.

The one common denominator for my family (my dad's too, and they're from Italy) is that they are all infected with the equine bug.

 

[donna]

Another thread on paw paw.