So ... who knows May apples?

[eppur_se_muova]

I'm curious as to how long they take to ripen, and if I shouldn't be seing some ripe red before the whole plant dies. Can these be "sun-ripened" on the window sill?

Strangely enough, I don't seem to know anyone who's ever eaten a May apple -- either from farming families or just recreational outdoorsmen. Thanks for any advice.

[Fovea]

1. I do not think they will sun ripen.

And you find they are not eaten for a reason.
Generally because they don't get to ripen.
If they are ripe, the possums get them.
If the possums havent gotten them, they arent ripe.

I hear they taste a bit like paw paw.
Paw paw, not being poisonous, seems like a better choice.

[eppur_se_muova]

2. I'd love a pawpaw -- haven't seen any in MD.

Apparently we're not quite swampy enough.

PS: Thanks, I wondered what ate them. We have rabbits galore in the area, opposums are a bit rarer.

[Fovea]

3. Possibly raccoons.

Though ours were more concerned with the persimmons and apples.

[pleah]

4. It has been about 30 years or so since I tasted one, but

I remember it tasted kind of melony to me. It was like nothing else I had ever tasted before. Growing up on a farm we ate damn near everything in sight. Wild grapes, wild plums, pears, gooseberries, blackberries, persimmons, apples,....


Anyway, that one time was the only time we ever beat the squirrels, rabbits, raccoons and others to them.