Sunday 11 August 2019

La Reine Claude (Greengage).



The Greengage is rather an old fashioned fruit; I can't imagine that many would add them to a modern orchard these days.

Our tree, as usual, has been covered in fruit. Most have bugs inside, but the good ones are easily identifiable. At the moment they are dropping by the barrow-load, and have become so sweet that they are inedible.

I previously picked just a couple of Kilos (above); some we ate simply stewed with Lemon juice and a dash of Sugar, the rest were packed into bags and frozen.

The main problem with Greengages (if indeed it is a problem) is raking-up all that fallen fruit. They are easily squashed, and the task is particularly messy. Our tree is badly situated on the lawn; right in front of our sitting room. Yuk.



15 comments:

  1. You need more than a dash of sugar with a greengage. Vile fruit that they are.

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    Replies
    1. They're a bit like Apricots; when cooked the natural sweetness comes out. When fully ripe they are so sweet, you could use them as paint stripper.

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  2. I'd jump at the chance!...but I'm not sure that they'd thrive at 400 ft near the West Coast of Scotland!

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    Replies
    1. Scotland is known for the quality of its soft fruits, so who knows; they might do quite well.

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    2. The East Coast is renowned for its wild soft fruit, unfortunately not the West.

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    3. I imagine the West Coast takes a battering.

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  3. I LOVE greengages. We always had them as children but now you don’t see them very much. I always buy them when I see them and don’t find them over sweet. When they are just right, they are just right !!! XXXX

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    Replies
    1. They do occasionally appear on market stalls here, but the season is very short.

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  4. I've never knowingly eaten a greengage. Are they like gooseberries? I used to eat those in my childhood.

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    Replies
    1. No, they are very sweet greeny/yellowy Plums. Perfect for throwing at people in the stocks.

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  5. I wonder how many more years you will tolerate the tree.

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    Replies
    1. It's a very old tree, with a trunk that's seen better days. I expect its days are numbered.

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  6. Why will birds never eat unwanted fruit but will single peck and spoil wanted fruit.

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    Replies
    1. Could you have a word with them Andrew. They won't listen to me!

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