David Hare-Scott wrote:
> We made medlar* jelly today. This is only the second crop off the tree so
> there is only one jar. The flavour is great (like a spicy aromatic apple)
> and the colour is a vibrant clear orange-scarlet, the texture is however,
> er, firm to say the least. There are almost no recipes about for medlars so
> we adapted from some for quinces. It appears that medlars have much pectin
> and more experiments are required. OTOH I may slice it and eat it with
> cheese, if anybody is interested I will keep you posted.
>
> Next year we hope to have a bigger crop and will test other recipes and
> maybe mix it with quince or apple. I can see why medlars have never made it
> to the supermarket as fresh fruit but the jelly/jam/preserves have great
> potential.
>
> A while ago my wife went googling for "cumquat jam" (we have a cumquat tree
> that produces quite nicely) and ended up at some web pages featuring people
> who wanted to do odd things with their clothes off and be photographed doing
> it. We never did find out what "cumquat jam" means other than a sweet
> preserve made from cumquats. Given the generally civilised nature of this NG
> I don't need to be told right now.

Try spelling the fruit as kumquat David, that's the correct spelling. I
raise two kinds, the little round sweet ones, and the oblong tart ones.
I mix them to make a splendid marmalade. They don't make a decent jam or
jelly but excellent marmalade. Use any orange or other citrus marmalade
recipe and cook them down. I don't add pectin just cook them down until
the marmalade barely sheets off a cold saucer. Be sure to remove all the
seeds and then slice the kumquats into rounds and add the proper amount
of sugar. HTH
>
> I hope I don't get black-listed by your nanny software due to some
> connotation or use of "medlar jelly" that I am unaware of.
>
> David
>
> * Medlars are a fruit related to quinces and apples, the appearance and
> texture of the fruit is odd, perhaps an acquired taste, but the flavour is
> unique. If you grow, or can grow, apples in your area try a medlar for
> something different.
>
>
I've always wanted to try to grow medlars here in SW Louisiana. Apples
don't grow well here but plums do and the pundits at Louisiana State
University say they should do well here.

George