SUSQUEHANNA

About the Variety: Susquehanna is another excellent Indiana-selected pawpaw variety, discovered in the same general region as Overleese. It's known for slightly smaller fruit than Overleese but with fewer seeds and excellent flavor. Susquehanna represents the continuing selection work to find superior wild pawpaw genetics. The variety has gained popularity among growers who want high-quality fruit with easier seed removal.

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Fruit Description: Large pawpaw fruits (typically 6-10 oz) with greenish-yellow skin. Flesh is golden-yellow, smooth, and custard-like with excellent flavor - rich tropical notes of banana and mango. Fewer seeds than Overleese (typically 6-10) which some people find easier to process. Flavor is sometimes described as slightly more refined than Overleese with less "wild" intensity.

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Harvest Window for Cincinnati/Southern Ohio: Mid to Late September (typically September 10-25)

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Ripeness Indicators:

• Fruit softens significantly - yields to gentle pressure

• Skin color shifts toward yellow

• Strong, sweet tropical aroma develops

• May drop naturally when ripe

• Brief window of perfect ripeness (1-2 days)

• Can pick slightly firm and ripen at room temperature

• Slightly later than Overleese - helps extend pawpaw season

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Disease Resistance:

• Excellent - native species with few pest problems

• Low maintenance native fruit

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Best Uses:

• Fresh eating: Excellent for eating fresh

• Freezing: Freezes well as pulp

• Baking: Very good for baking applications

• Ice cream/smoothies: Makes excellent frozen desserts

• Banana substitute: Can replace banana in recipes

• Storage: Fresh fruit lasts 2-3 days; frozen pulp lasts 6+ months

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How to Share This Fruit: Susquehanna's slightly later timing allows you to extend pawpaw season by offering two varieties in sequence. Organize "pawpaw variety comparison" tastings in mid-September where people compare Susquehanna (fewer seeds, refined flavor) with Overleese (larger fruit, more intense flavor). The easier seed removal makes Susquehanna perfect for beginner processing workshops where people learn to handle pawpaws for the first time. Consider "pawpaw week" programming where early varieties like Overleese kick off the week and later ones like Susquehanna finish it. The native status continues to provide opportunities for ecological education about native fruits and native landscapes. Use Susquehanna in recipe-focused events where the easier processing makes it more beginner-friendly. Perfect for school programs if timing coincides with school year start - children find pawpaws fascinating and memorable.