Forum home› Fruit & veg
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Chaenomeles - ripe?

LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
in Fruit & veg
I've read through previous threads and I think the answer is probably 'They never soften', but I just want to check!
My Chaenomeles always produces fruit but I generally just leave it. However, this year there's loads so I thought I might try cooking some. But how do I know when to pick them - lots have fallen already, lots are yellow, most are plum-sized and all are absolutely rock hard - do they soften? Can I use them like this?
'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
- Cicero

Posts

  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,841
    They don't soften so if they are yellow and beginning to fall then you are good to go. Picking them can be a tricky business though, very spiky.
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    Ah good, thanks. And yes, that might be an issue. Considering using the fallen ones too - they look intact...?
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    I'd separate the fallen ones from the picked - at least that way you can check that they are clean or not ( unless the odd bit of "live" beasties doesn't worry you )  :)
    I only recommend that because that is what I have been doing with my Damsons.
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    Mine tend to go a pinky-red rather than yellow and they are always hard as rocks but still good to use. I made loads of Japonica jelly last year :)
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    There was the odd tiny slug nestling in the indent, but none seemed to have infiltrated the fruit at all... We'll see once I cut them open!
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    You can always try the Greek way with quinces...nicer than a paste https://www.kopiaste.org/2008/12/glyko-kydoni-quince-spoon-sweet/ I gathered 4 fruits from my small plant, will make for a tiny dessert ;) 
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • sally748sally748 Posts: 29
    I had 3 tiny fruits on mine this year, which had fallen but were intact. I peeled and chopped them and cooked in a sugar syrup with cloves and star anise, then put the cooked fruit in a pudding basin (I added a couple of chopped up figs as there was so little quince) with a sponge mix on top and baked it. Yummy pudding :)
  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,360
    Ooh - that sounds like the kind of thing we would enjoy! Thank you.
    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
Sign In or Register to comment.