Texture of an overripe banana or avocado is correct for a Paw Paw. Everything likes to eat them. Timing is everything when collecting them. Ideally, catching them in a bedsheet with a gentle shake of the tree will get the ripe ones to fall. If they're on the ground for more than an hour or two the critters will have found them.
I would more than happy to come collect some and cook some stuff and share with you. Paw Paw beer perhaps?
EDIT- Duffield VA is really far from me.
Yes but it's heaven by comparison, when the shit hit the fan the local sheriffs said we were a sanctuary county from the gun grabbers. Today I'm going to Bristol to buy crabs so the ridge runners have their moments of civilization!