I'm glad people are enjoying this thread
We went out today for a farmer's market that had mentioned they would have pawpaws -- something regional I am very interested in trying. Unfortunately, what few pawpaws they had were sold out in minutes, and we got there about an hour after starting.
Pawpaws are very seasonal and don't travel well. The reason you "pick up pawpas and put them in your pocket" is that is how you tell if they are ripe -- they fall off the tree.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asimina_triloba