The minuscule fruit, akin to an apple in form, comes with a tinge of russet or brownish hue. Its flavor, if ingested prior to the cusp of decay, is unbearably tart. Nonetheless, it serves as an excellent ingredient for preserves and spreads.
Within the realm of delightful fruits, we encounter the medlar an exquisite specimen originating from Central Europe, thriving in the Southern United States and the southern regions of Europe. Medlars bear a kinship to pears, exhibiting a distinct resemblance to rose hips in shape, while boasting a russet-brown hue akin to that of plums. These treasures of nature are harvested during November, yet they should not be consumed until the fruit achieves a soft and mealy texture. To attain optimal ripeness, they often require a period of 2 to 3 weeks after gathering, during which they undergo a process of maturation referred to as “bletting.” Once softened and transformed into a delectable state, medlars can be savored in their raw form or transformed into delightful preserves. Interestingly, medlars found their way to the United States through the efforts of the Jesuit community, who introduced these fascinating fruits to the land.