The wind has been blowing hard, causing apples, pears and quince to rain down. The quince are not quite ripe yet, but that didn't stop me from baking with them.
We planted two quince trees last year, one dropped its fruit when they were very small, but the other one has about two dozen quince still attached, despite the gales and blustery winds. I hope they will have the chance to ripen a bit more before I have to harvest them. I have lots of recipes lined up which I hope to try out.
The fig tree has been very fruitful over the last month or so and the grapevine has produced several pounds of wonderfully flavoured grapes. The hot summer certainly worked some magic.
I made a very simple windfall tart with the quinces, some apples, a pear and a bunch of the grapes. I poached the quince in water, drained it and mixed it with the apples, grapes, and pear, added some chopped walnuts, soft dark brown sugar, a few dabs of butter and some cinnamon, then put the whole lot into a tart tin which I had lined and part baked beforehand.
I normally do a bit more baking wizardry than that, but I was feeling
Much of my attention has been taken up with working on a 'new' version of my fairies, I think I am getting there. I could make them the old way, but that would be too easy!
Today has begun in an 'interesting' way. Before six o'clock this morning I had already discovered that the milk in the jug was sour - after I had poured it into my first coffee of the day. I made a fresh one, put it on the side table, saw that the dog's bed was untidy and began to straighten it only for my hand to encounter something disgusting and very smelly - a deposit left there by Sparky, the cat. She has a naughty habit of doing that occasionally, always choosing to leave a deposit on the dog's bed, presumably so that he gets the blame!
I hope the day improves...
Your garden and your recipes sound wonderful. I'm salivating at the thought of that tart.
ReplyDeleteI'll make one for you - I'll send it by pigeon-carrier!
DeleteI have fig envy! Another thing I miss from the smallholding
ReplyDeleteThe fig tree was re-sited last year, it seems much happier in the new location, or perhaps it was the real summer weather, either way, it has been in full production.
DeleteIt all sounds delicious. Do the grapes grow outside there?
ReplyDeleteWe transplanted the vine last year, Susan. It now grows along one side of our building, in an area we call 'Death Valley' because it gets so hot, especially this summer! For once the grapes got the chance to ripen and develop a real flavour.
DeleteSounds like here. Figs, Quinces, Grapes, and Pears everywhere. Crumbles on the menu.
ReplyDeleteIt is crumble season! The tart makes a nice change and requires a lot less sugar, but don't tell my husband.
DeleteSorry for the late reply - having trouble with the broadband connection.
Yum, that tart sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteIt was a real treat, I don't often eat puddings, but this one was slightly sharp and very fruity!
DeleteSorry for the late reply - having trouble with the broadband connection.
We have such an abundance of apples - many on the floor now due to the high winds the other day - I need to collect more but have no idea what to do with them - the freezer is full already and I am limited at the cottage (caravan) for cooking and baking. My DH loves figs - he would love that tart - but the caravan oven just doesn't get hot enough for pastry.
ReplyDeleteHad to smile at your crafty cat! Not at the mess though you have to clean up.
This is a wonderful time of year, but it is hard work dealing with the abundance. We share around as much as we can, trouble is that in the countryside everyone has at least one or two apple trees of their own!
DeleteSparky is scarily intelligent - world domination is her goal!
Sorry for the late reply - having trouble with the broadband connection.
We have some windfall apples that look like they will make crunmble
ReplyDeleteWindfalls are perfect for crumbles - the only question is: custard, cream, or ice cream?
DeleteI wonder if there is anything to discourage Sparky from showing her disdain for (I assume) the new Toby. The worst I've faced is the cat's total and complete appropriation of the dog's bed, and the poor dog backing away, totally dejected and defeated.
ReplyDeleteSparky is a terror - until she catches sight of a stranger, then she runs for the hills! Toby - new Toby, knows his place. He takes his revenge by occasionally snaffling her cat food. He doesn't plan to rule the world, he is content to live a quiet life, with occasional treats from the cat bowl.
DeleteWhat gorgeous composite photos, you make/take! :-)
ReplyDeleteMust look up, what your Custard consists of. I see it accompanies many desserts. But since we use different 'names' for items at times.... Must look it up.
Mmmmm, that cat is a bit nasty. >,-) Perhaps it is getting ready for Halloween...?
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My husband loves custard with almost all puddings - I don't bother to make it from scratch, I usually make it with milk and custard powder, or ready-made if I am in a hurry.
DeleteSparky is a survivor, she was born feral and was caught by a cat charity. When we took her in, we didn't catch sight of her for a couple of weeks, she just spat and hissed from the back of a box - we had to house her in what would later become a hen house, to make sure that she didn't just run away. Gradually she calmed down and now, all these years later, she loves us dearly, but she regards herself as Queen! The slightest hint of a stranger, or an engine that she is unfamiliar with, and she runs for Owl Wood, sanctuary!
Sounds like a good harvest, lovely home cooked desserts, just what every one wants, with or without custard! As lovely as they are sometimes our furry friends really disappoint! xcx
ReplyDeleteSparky can be a monster, but we tend to make allowances, she had a hard life before she came to live with us. Too many of these incidents will lead to some changes in her sleeping quarters! Then there will be trouble, I quake at the thought!
DeleteShe has just come inside and is purring sweetly at me - not a message of love - a demand for food!
An interesting dessert. Never thought to cook with grapes either. We have a few pears but a zillion apples. Many of the eaters are on the deck now but friends who have donkeys, pigs and goats will be benefitting.
ReplyDeleteI came across a recipe for grape pie, in one of my old recipe books, can't remember which one, unfortunately - and that gave me the idea to use some in the tart. They cooked beautifully.
DeleteDealing with the apple harvest and making use of everything is jolly hard work, but a nice problem to have. It is a good feeling when you can share the bounty around.
That tart sounds a very fine one indeed! What a beautiful way you have set the scene in your photos...just lovely! Naughty puss x
ReplyDeleteThey are done on a whim, but thank you! The quinces are beginning to turn yellow - lots more fun to be had soon. Sparky is truly a little minx!
DeleteInteresting to hear how much you like quinces. We always get given bags of them and most go in the compost. I will try a tart
ReplyDeleteI have wanted to play about with quince recipes for a long time, this will be the first proper harvest - so watch this space! Have a wonderful holiday.
DeleteThere is nothing more off-putting than putting sour milk in your morning's first coffee! I have taken to always wearing slippers or shoes because of the propensity of my cat to leave me 'presents'. I love quince and should really plant a few - my pear tree, which has only presented a handful of pears a year the last 12 years, has at least forty pears! I'm trying to beat the squirrels to the harvest...
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean about slippers - for many years we had a horrible slug problem, midnight rambles were fraught with danger!! I hope you get the pears before the squirrels, I don't doubt there is plenty of other stuff around for them. Happy harvesting, Susan.
DeleteEnjoying nature’s rich harvest are we Elaine? And delish it sounds too. Minus the cat poo obviously! Are we going to get to see the fairy godmother’s wares anytime soon? I hope so!
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Been too busy with other things to play, unfortunately. After today that should change, I hope! Good luck with the house hunting - exciting times!
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