Sunday, September 04, 2011

Greengage summer

As a child I could never see what my mother liked about greengages. She would sigh with delight at the prospect. In truth she sighed with delight over very little. The county of Yorkshire, white cats and poultry are the three things which come to mind after a bit of thought. That she approved of this humble little plum is quite something.

To my suspicious child's eye they looked nasty sour things. I didn't like green boiled sweets either - and still don't. Unnatural things.

Ah, but now show me a greengage and I'll jump through hoops; stretch up through a scratchy hedge to pick the very last one off the tree - all the while cursing the man who planted fruit trees amongst Hawthorn...


Perhaps not the most elegant of fruit but so, so sweet. The soft ripe flesh melts to honeyed juice.

Simply gorgeous.

8 comments:

Fennie said...

Indeed so gorgeous that I planted one in the middle of the lawn. The only problem is that all the fruit seems to ripen at once and then the wasps move in, suddenly out of nowhere. Any ideas how to extend the season?

Pondside said...

They certainly look beautiful. Both our trees are purple plums, and it's a race between us and the raccoons to see who can get the ripe plums first.

Twiglet said...

Plump and delicious - I haven't seen any for ages. Hope you found loads of bargains today - I think I might sell mine on ebay! Good to see you both. x Jo

Frances said...

Greengage plums...I've never actually seen them grow and ripen, but definitely know how delicious they are when preserved and introduced to buttered toast.

(I really loved reading your just prior post about walking at night, in the dark, under the stars. I could see it all.)

xo

Cro Magnon said...

Ours become SO SWEET, when ripe, that I find them inedible. But if caught whilst they're still firm, they're delicious. None this year, but last year we were inundated.

Pam said...

You know, I don't think I've ever eaten one! They look like large goosegogs and very sour but I'll have to take your word for it on the sweet issue - since I've never seem them in the USA. I got so excited about my peaches this year and then the squirrels ate every one!

SmitoniusAndSonata said...

Plums , ANY plums , if not too ripe , are delicious ... and greengages make the prettiest jam . And Yorkshire's full of friendly people , ready for a chat .
But then I part company with your mother's Unequalled list . The only white cat I've known was a large tom called Toby , who sat on the garden wall and took lumps out of passing children .

Thrifty Household said...

I agree, it has been a really good greengage summer. I've gone a bit overboard & noshed my way through far too many. I started off intending to make jam or at least a tart but had to keep testing them 'just incase'...I hope next year's harvest is as good!