Dovyalis caffra, the Kei-Apple.Wonderful South African fruit for using in both sweet and savoury ways.
Early this year I found fruit to forage for from mid January and well into February. They were even still in flower then. And they had such hectic thorns, I really had to concentrate when picking.
This season I nearly missed them! I managed to get a rather small bag full a couple of weeks ago.
What a disappointment. Yet I am still driving the streets with my eyes on stalks in the hopes of finding more. I didn't manage to make chutney last year, and it seems I may not again this year.
The copious enormous thorns ensure they make a really good security hedge.
And because there are male (non-fruiting) and female plants, a hedge makes sense, that way you have a really good chance of getting fruit.
The pips are so soft, that when you cook the fruit and it collapses very quickly, you do not need to be concerned about getting rid of the seeds.
Cordial, Jelly, Jam and Marmalade, all these are just so good. The marmalade made with Ruby Grapefruit is one of my personal favourites. The the cordial is really delicate.
We had Kei-Apple Jelly with our Gammon this Christmas.
If you do taste them raw, eat them as ripe as you can, otherwise they will be rather tart, much in the same way that green apricots are. |
Loubie, do you by any chance know of 'houtappeltjies?' (we came upon a recipe , while searching for a recipe to use for kei-apples, that we had the good luck to find nearby on a neighbouring sidewalk)..Could it be used for kei-apples,?, or is it completely different,
ReplyDeletebecause we ve searched the net , but just could not find anything on 'houtappeltjies,..
Hello Denise, Kei-appels en houtappeltjies is een en dieselfde ding. Hulle maak die mooiste jellie omdat hulle soveel pektien bevat. Sien myne op ons Fb-blad: Ellen Jay. Groete, Johan de Villiers.
ReplyDeleteThank you Johan. I didn't know that botanical name !
ReplyDeleteWe have a large hedge of Kei apple. Anyone for a bag of the fruit? Need to pick it yourself...Somerset west
ReplyDeleteFound out we have a tree in our yard which is bearing fruit now. Any recipes worth making?
ReplyDeleteWhere can I find the recipes mentioned above?
ReplyDelete