Pawpaw Cookies Pawpaws have been called poor man's bananas. If you can't find pawpaws in your backyard,  as did the ancient Seminoles and Choctaw Indians, you can substitute bananas in this recipe. Wait until the banana skins are speckled and nearly overripe. That speckling is natural sugar! 1½ c. pawpaw pulp (or mashed bananas) ¾ c. shortening 1& 1/3 c. sugar 1 egg 3 c. sifted flour 1 Tbsp. baking soda 1 tsp. salt ¼ tsp. ginger ¼ tsp. allspice 1 tsp. nutmeg 1 tsp. cinnamon Cream the shortening and sugar thoroughly. Add beaten egg and pawpaw. Stir in the dry ingredients, and mix well. Form into small balls and place on cookie sheet. Press into round flat shape with the bottom of a glass that has been lightly greased. Bake in a moderate oven about 15 minutes.   More Pawpaw recipes Return to the Recipe Index  Return to the Native American Index  All Rights Reserved    Clip Art Credit: Phillip Martin Have a great year!