Panna cotta is another great way to enjoy that mysterious, indigenous American fruit no one but culinary nerds have heard of: the paw-paw a.k.a Kentucky Custard Apple.
Depending on the species, the flesh could be yellow, orange, white, or a shade in between. Their flavor is variable too, but always evokes two things to me: bananas and mangoes.
There's a special reason a panna cotta is a great thing to make. Since paw paw reacts negatively to heat, cooking it will change it's perfume and enhance bitterness. With a panna cotta, you can make the base, cool it to room temperature, and then puree in the paw-paw so it isn't exposed to heat. That being said, you can do the same with ice cream, or a chilled mousse too.
The Importance of gelatin
One of the most important parts of a panna cotta is the gelatin. I've used just about every type on the market for restaurant service, so I can tell you a thing or two about the different types, and why I use one specific type over all the others. Basically your choice comes down to two options: leaf gelatin, and powder.
Powdered gelatin is what you're going to find at most grocery stores. It's fine to use if you're trying to make simple Jello, but the set is often too firm for me, and can make things taste rubbery. With panna cotta, the perfect set that gives you a wiggly, tender dessert is the goal, and powdered gelatin, while it can work ok, isn't nearly as good as leaf gelatin.
Leaf gelatin can be tricky and confusing for home cooks who've never worked with it. There's different grades, prices, brands, and methods of using. Without going into too much detail, you should know I use silver leaf gelatin exclusively. I don't even worry about the other colors or grades.
Serving
Paw paw panna cotta is good all by itself, but it needs some kind of garnish to really make a statement. Personally, I like a thin fruit sauce or coulis, but there's lots of things you could do. Here's a few notes:
The flavor is ok straight from the fridge, but will be better if you let it come to room temperature a bit before unmolding and serving, 10-15 minutes is fine. Berry sauces are great with paw paw. Blueberry, plum or raspberry as my last choice, are all good.
I like the panna cotta with a little bit of sharp berry sauce or citrus to wake it up a bit, just think of garnishes that would taste good with a banana. Pictured is wild plum jam thinned with a dash of orange and lemon juice to make a sauce, along with toasted hickory nuts to add crunch.
Paw Paw Panna Cotta
Equipment
- A simple panna cotta made from paw paws. You can use frozen or fresh fruit.
- 6 four ounce ramekins
Ingredients
- 6 oz ⅔ cup frozen or fresh paw paw puree
- ½ cup sugar
- 3 sheets leaf gelatin or 3 teaspoons powdered gelatin
- 2 cups heavy cream
- Dash of fresh meyer lemon or lemon juice, to taste
- A few scrapes of orange zest
Instructions
- Gently warm the cream and sugar, whisking until the sugar is melted.
- Meanwhile, bloom the gelatin until soft in ice water, then squeeze the water out. (If using powdered gelatin, add it directly to the warm cream and sugar then whisk).
- Puree the warm cream with the paw paw flesh and the gelatin, then pass through a strainer (optional) and mix in the citrus juice and zest, then double check the seasoning and adjust as needed, you should taste a hint of citrus in the background.
- Ladle the mixture into 4 ounce ramekins and refrigerate overnight until set.
Ann
My panda cotta was too firm; I found you may require far less than 3 tsp of powdered gelatin. The paw paw and orange had a very subtle flavor.
Alan Bergo
Hi Ann. Thanks for commenting. The paw paw and orange will always be a subtle flavor. The recipe and proportions of gelatin have been tested a lot here too, did you make sure to use level teaspoons? Also, as I mention in the recipe, sheet gelatin is waaay better than powdered gelatin. Powdered gelatin should be a last resort.
Alan Bergo
Hi Ann. The paw paw will always have a subtle flavor. As for the amount of gelatin, this has been tested by plenty of people. Did you make sure to use level teaspoons?
Ann
How far in advance could I make?
Alan Bergo
2-3 days.
Mark
fwiw, oikos grows pawpaws and persimmons in MI. They have a significantly different microclimate (MI), granted, but as zones creep northward, stuff changes.
Also, UW arboretum has a paw paw at least 20+ yrs old and several younger trees comfortably in their teens, in Madison, WI. And several commercially sold pawpaw cultivars came from Iowa originally including Maria's Joy. So I am quite sure they can be grown in S WI and also likely S Minnesota, although "can grow deliberately" is not the same as foraging a wild population.
Alan Bergo
Thanks Mark.
Blake Cothron
HI,
We're a Certified Organic nursery that sells high-quality pawpaw trees and ships all over the USA. http://www.peacefulheritage.com Thanks!
Keith
Also- I prefer pawpaws when they are still slightly firm. The mango flavor becomes more pronounced the more ripe they get. Picked while still light green to pale yellow, they have a mild flavor more like pear and banana with a tropical taste- maybe coconut?
Keith
I like to forage and we have a number of wild pawpaws in the woods right now (Indiana). They are just about ripe which is the perfect time to pick and ship. If you want some, let me know.
Thad
My Dad used to forage for paw paw in the woods of northeast Kansas when he was young. I remember him trying to pollinate a tree out in the woods when I was little but it didn't take. Still have never tasted paw paw.
Alan Bergo
Try ordering some paw paw from earthy delights.
Dan
Is paw paw the same thing as May Apple, Allen? I have seen May Apples around in the springtime but haven't gotten back to them when they become ripe. I've never tasted either fruit.
Alan Bergo
Hi Dan, no paw-paw is the largest indigenous fruit in the U.S. very different than the maypop/mayapple. They don't grow in Minnesota, but you can order them online through earthy delights.
Preston
They do grow in Minnesota, I have been harvesting them in St. Paul for over 12 years. Falling off the trees right now, have more than 50 of the fruits.
Alan Bergo
I'd need to see that to believe it.
Linda Hankins
That seems like a rude remark - might just as well as called him a liar. Online research shows that they do indeed grow in some parts of Minnesota.
Alan Bergo
No it's just the facts regarding the range of this fruit. You will have extreme difficulty trying to grow them in MN. In some parts of Ontario they're grown, but MN will be very difficult. I have friends who have grown them in WI but none of the trees have ever fruited, and they're even grown in a green house.