My little medlar tree hasn't produced many fruits this year but the ones it has are huge!
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| The whole harvest! |
I now need to let these blet before eating them. That is to go slightly rotten and soft, you then eat them with a spoon and they taste a little bit like custard. Apparently this fruit was popular in medieval times and was often referred to as " a bull dogs bottom" - no idea why!!
I have got another tree that I planted at my parents house around 10 years ago, we went on Sunday for a roast dinner (and to see my parents) but the tree had been pecked bare. Not a fruit left on it!
I was disappointed as I was looking forward to making some more spicy medlar chutney. The one I'm eating now (dated 2010) is quite possibly the nicest chutney I've ever tasted but blinking labour intensive to make. I think it took a total of four nights to put together as you have to make a jelly first - a true labour of love and then it needs at least a year to mature.
I was disappointed as I was looking forward to making some more spicy medlar chutney. The one I'm eating now (dated 2010) is quite possibly the nicest chutney I've ever tasted but blinking labour intensive to make. I think it took a total of four nights to put together as you have to make a jelly first - a true labour of love and then it needs at least a year to mature.
Anyone else got any medlars growing?
Never seen one of those fruits. I have read about them, or more precisely seen the name from some research I have done but never knew it was an actual fruit of it's own. I kinda figured it was just something else.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if they grow over here.
I think they would but they haven't got that many uses. Maybe a good fruit in certain situations as not everyone knows what they are. Only really good for preserves so sugar would really be needed as well.
DeleteNo medlars on our smallholding yet, but Lester is going to plant a couple of trees this winter, but there are lots of medlars in the neighbourhood which are all heavily laden with fruit. What a gorgeous tree to have around, with the fruit looking like Christmas decorations,. so worth having around even if the fruit is not picked.
ReplyDeleteThey are a beautiful tree. I almost wish I hadn't planted it in the orchard. I think I've got another grafted up in the nursery so maybe that will find it's way into the garden.
DeleteWe have one tree which did very badly this year. It has done well in the past. I made medlar jelly, which had a sort sludgy colour, which was unattractive, but he flavour was good. it's known as "Dog's bottom" here too.
ReplyDeleteI like the jelly but, like with all jellies, you need so much fruit for so little return. I also forget to eat it unlike jam.
DeleteOnly heard of them through reading...they sound flipping delicious to me!
ReplyDeleteBulldogs's bottom? After reading about John Grey's bulldog's bottom....kind of put me off them now.
Jane x
They have a unusual flavour but I don;t think anyone would go mad for them. Don;t squint as you eat them!
DeleteI have heard of medlar cheese not chutney before. We dont have any here.
ReplyDeleteI'm not just saying this, it is the nicest chutney I've ever made. Funny as mum said "Welll if it's so nice how come I've never had any?" I said it's because it's so nice you've not had any!
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