Here we are again, foraging.
Today, I present to you the fruit of my gathering in September and my creations of the day.
In September, along the path I take every evening day for my walk I find figs and blackberries. So on September mornings, my breakfast often consists of the two or three figs and handful of berries I gathered the evening before, with yoghurt, as in the pictures, or with cheese or with toast. Depends on my mood, really.
And October is quince season! How much more medieval can you get? 😉
The fruit is hard and inedible raw (try it if you want to feel as if your mouth has been filled with wool for hours afterwards) but deliciously sweet and fragrant when cooked, especially with vanilla and orange blossom water.
Many of my heroes and heroines get to enjoy it. In Eira the Snow Maiden, from the Welsh Hellions series, Andrew and his friend Sir Daniel (hero of Blodwyn the Flower) enjoy a “dish of quince boiled with honey served with sweetened custard.” Mmmm. Delish. Have you ever tried it? Boiled, or even better, roasted? Served with savoury food, like duck or cheese, or in desserts, with ice cream for example…
Today, I made a compote, along with some apple, and of course the best way in my opinion, to enjoy its flavour: quince jelly. Unfortunately, I could only make one pot, the tree is still young and with the horrendous summer we had, most of the fruit fell before its time.
Still, bon appétit!