The oblong fruit can be cooked when it is green or eaten as a refreshing snack when it ripens to a golden yellow.

It is also said that the milky juice from the pawpaw can be used to make meat tender.

Here are some recipes to help you enjoy the delicate flavour of green pawpaws.

*** PAWPAW MONTESPAN 8 green pawpaws, peeled, seeded, and cut in pieces 4 thinly sliced tomatoes 2 or 3 large Bermuda onions, thinly sliced and sauteed 1 pound ground beef sauteed with leaf thyme, salt and pepper Grated cheddar cheese STEAM pawpaws until tender, about 20 minutes. Mash and put a layer into a greased baking dish. Cover with a thin layer of tomatoes, then browned meat, sauteed onion and sprinkle generously with cheese. Cover with bread crumbs and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

Delicious pawpaw recipes PAWPAW PIE Filling: sliced pawpaws, cooked until tender but still firm 11 cups sugar 2 teaspoons cinnamon 4 to 6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 tablespoon tapioca 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind Pastry: 2 cups flour 1 tablespoon sugar 1 cup margarine 1 cup Crisco 1 teaspoon salt 5 to 6 tablespoons ice water BLEND together pastry ingredients. Divide in half. Roll out enough to line greased pie plate. Mix filling ingredients together and place on top of pastry. Dot with butter before placing remainder of rolled out pastry on top of pie.

Pinch closed and make a few slices on top pastry crust for steam to escape.

Brush top crust with evaporated milk. Bake in pre-heated oven at 425 degrees for 10-15 minutes, then reduce heat slightly and turn pie to insure even browning for about another 30 minutes.

*** GREEN STUFFED PAWPAW 4 medium green pawpaws 1 pound top ground beef 1 pound pork or beef sausages or sausage meat 1 medium size can of stewed tomatoes 1 tablespoon margarine or butter 1 teaspoon chopped parsley 1 teaspoon onion-minced 1 cup Pepperridge Farm bread dressing or bread crumbs 1 teaspoon sugar Dash of salt and pepper PEEL pawpaws, cut into halves and remove seeds. Wash and then place them in a covered sauce pan with a 1 teaspoon salt and cold water. Bring to a boil and let boil for 20 minutes.

While the pawpaw is boiling, heat the oven to 300 degrees. Place the beef sausages or sausage meat, crumbs, parsley, onions, margarine and pepper in a bowl. Mix them together well.

Drain pawpaws and fill each half with the mixture. Place in a baking dish. Add the tomatoes and sugar and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake for 30 minutes.

*** VEGETABLE AND TUNA CASSEROLE 2 green pawpaws (peeled, sliced and cooked with salt) 1 medium egg plant, (diced and cooked) 1 large onion and 1 cup sliced mushrooms (sauteed) 2 cups (1 large can) of tuna 11 cups grated cheese 1 cup sherry 1 cup bread crumbs Parsley to taste MAKE a cheese sauce. Butter a casserole, and alternate with the above until all the vegetables and tuna have been used. Add the sherry-pour over the sauce -- sprinkle with crumbs and bake for 1 hour.

*** PAWPAW PICKLE 4 pounds green pawpaw -- cut into small cubes and boiled in salted water until tender Tied in muslin: 1 stick cinnamon 1 teaspoon cloves 1 teaspoon pepper corns 2 pints vinegar 3 cups brown sugar 1 large onion BRING vinegar, spices, sugar and onion to the boil. Cover and remove from stove. Leave to stand 15 minutes. Strain and reboil. Add cooked pawpaw and boil gently until transparent.

*** PAWPAW JAM 1 pounds pawpaw (4 cups) peeled and cut into small cubes 1 pounds sugar (2 cups) 1 teaspoon ground ginger Juice of 1 lemon JUST cover the pawpaw with water and boil until tender. Add sugar, ginger and lemon juice and boil gently until syrup thickens. Pour into heated jars and seal.