Never heard of it one minute, it's everywhere the next: LOQUATS

11 years ago

Have you ever had that experience? Two weeks ago, I'd never hear the word "loquat" in my life. Then someone (and I can't for the life of me remember who now!) was mentioning to me something about loquats and somoene else (who was it?) said they went to someone's house for the express purpose of gathering loquats to make jam. (I think!)

Honestly, I didn't pay much attention, as you've probably guessed by now, as I didn't know or much care what a loquat was or have any intentions of making loquat anything myself.

Well, then Saturday evening, we were going out with some friends who picked us up and as we were backing out of the driveway, my friend says, hey, what's that tree blooming in your back yard? The tree was in a corner of the yard behind the garage, a spot I never really notice, and actually in the neighbor's yard but overhanging into mine. I was nonplussed.

So, I went back there eventually and lo and behold, there's a fruit laden tree with lots of ripe and ripening fruit hanging there, ready for picking. I picked a few and took them into the house to examine them. I had no idea what they were. I'd never seen anything like them. But the word "loquat" was lingering in my memory so that's the first thing I looked up.

And yup! You guessed it. They are loquats. I haven't tasted them yet, but will. I'm wondering if they are worth harvesting and doing something with them. And of course, where better to ask for that kind of information than here?

So. at the end of this long story, here's my question:
LOQUATS -- what would you do with them?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (12)

chas045
11 years ago
My neighbor had one while I was growing up. I used to eat them hand to mouth as I passed by. The problem is that they are almost completely seeds and skin and therefore difficult to acquire much juice. Tasty though and distinct. Now I wonder if the seeds might make nice decorations.
mustangs81
11 years ago
May, Whgille made a loquat cobbler.

~Good to see you here.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cobbler
Related Discussions
3 Annuals I never heard of
Q
Comments (10)
I grew Valueseeds "Catchfly Ruby Flax" (aka: Thompson & Morgan #7058 Viscaria Occulata Cardinalis Ruby Flax) It performed wonderfully in my Zone 5, well-drained, nice loamy soil. It got twice the size of the state 12" height, and I had it planted en masse in about a 4-foot area. Light, airy, and beautiful, but like the first poster mentioned, they were relatively short-lived, going to seed in...I'd guess around 4 weeks.
...See More
here's one: crawdad castles everywhere!
Q
Comments (17)
Collinw, I know they are harmless (heck we used to catch them and put them in the back of my dad's pickup when it was full of water!). And I wouldn't mind a few of them here and there but the castles everywhere are extremely unsightly. It's like having mounds of dirt all over your yard. We aren't talking about one or two or ten or twenty even - really you can't imagine how many there are out there in my yard right now. BUT even that would be tolerable but they get in my flower beds and make a real mess. They dig holes right next to my plants which I have to assume means that the roots are now exposed to air. They push the dirt all up over my mulch (some of these castles are 5-6 inches wide and at least that tall). I'm not trying to get rid of all of them - impossible! - and I have certainly lived with them in my yard for years but how can I get them out of my flower beds? That's really what I want to do.....once they have dug their little hole and pushed their little dirt balls onto the surface, is there some way to get them out (without doing anything horrible). I admit they are mostly an annoyance but it's like having any other critter in your yard that destroys your hard work - you JUST WANT THEM GONE! Lynn
...See More
Never bought an oven proof pan with lid - which one?
Q
Comments (4)
I have many pans, a Lodge cast iron dutch oven, a Cuisinart enameled cast iron dutch oven - small, and two aluminum, hard anodized saucier pans, this HUGE one, and a smaller 5 quart saucier, and this one, too. I'm not sure how I ended up with so many (probably a Friday sale at Amazon.com). I use the really huge one for Osso Bucco, and if I'm making a lot, I'll use the other big one to sear and brown the additional meat, the put them all together in the biggest one and put it in the oven. I use the smallest for chili, American Chop Suey, beef stew, etc. I'm going to try your recipe, I certainly have the pots and pans for it.
...See More
Mice again and have you heard this one?
Q
Comments (18)
Amelie, As the saying goes "cunning as a s....... rodent" they will find a way. Actually rats are very intelligent. I have found the best bait for rats is dates. Of all the spring traps the OZ made "Supreme" on the wooden base is the best. The wire cage traps which trap them alive usually only get the young animals, not the adults. If the dog is highly interested then you can bet on it he's right so set traps where he says they are but can't hurt the dog. I put the dead bodies out where the magpies, kookas etc can get them, usually within 30 minutes of my putting them out. NEVER put out baited (Ratsak) bodies for the birds as you will kill them too. Doug.
...See More
jessyf
11 years ago
Hey GF

"they are almost completely seeds and skin" yup I call them a 'high maintenance food" and pass them by, the flavor isn't special enough to justify the work :-)

Sending you an email about something else....
dcarch7 d c f l a s h 7 @ y a h o o . c o m
11 years ago
Actually, peeling the skin off is very easy and the one or two seeds pop right out. I am not sure why that's a lot of work.

Sweet and delicious, supposedly have good medicinal value. I don't remember what it is.

dcarch
donna_loomis
11 years ago
True, there is more skin and seeds than actual fruit. Both are very easy to remove, so I don't see that as a minus. But I've never had them anyway except straight from the tree. Never tasted them "in" anything.
colleenoz
11 years ago
Loquat chutney is awesome! By far the most popular flavour at the restaurant I used to work in. If you're interested I'll dig out the recipe.
lowspark
Original Author
11 years ago
Yes, please, colleenoz. The ones I picked have been sitting on my kitchen counter for a few days but I'm going to go out to the tree tomorrow morning and just taste one freshly picked. I have bunco at my house on Monday night so if you post the recipe in time, I might make it and see what everyone thinks!
colleenoz
11 years ago
Here 'tis:

Loquat Chutney

6lbs of topped and stoned loquats (weighed after prepping)
1 quart vinegar
4lbs sugar
1lb mixed raisins and white raisins
3 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons ground ginger
2 teaspoons allspice or pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder
12 peppercorns
12 cloves
2 oz finely chopped garlic

Dice loquats, leaving the skin on. Boil loquats and raisins in the vinegar for 15 minutes. Add the sugar and boil a further 15 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and boil until thick and brown.

Now, Australian/British practice is to ladle hot chutney into hot, sterilised jars and place sterile lids on them. We do not as a rule process jams and relishes. So if you wish to process this chutney you'll need to get guidelines from a US chutney recipe.

Enjoy!
ruimi
11 years ago
I think you can make jam out of them too.
When we were kids we would get up in the trees to eat the fruit and squeeze the slippery stones between index finger and thumb and shoot them off, good fun!
dcarch7 d c f l a s h 7 @ y a h o o . c o m
11 years ago
Welcome to the Cooking Forum Ruimi!

Because they peel so easy, you don't have to wash them and just eat them from the tree.

They sell them here in NYC about $8.00 a lb.

dcarch
gnappi
11 years ago
I have a very delicious Christmas loquat cultivar, and eat them right off the tree skin and all and spit the seeds into my hand.

I don't think they have any less fruit than a cherry, or canned olive, I certainly don't think they
are a chore to eat.
CA Kate z9
11 years ago
There are different varieties of Loquats, several being quite large and fleshy. I grew Big Jim and Golden (something).

I am missing my fruit trees this Spring

Never heard of it one minute, it's everywhere the next: LOQUATS

Comments (12)

chas045

mustangs81

Related Discussions

jessyf

dcarch7 d c f l a s h 7 @ y a h o o . c o m

donna_loomis

colleenoz

lowspark
Original Author

colleenoz

ruimi

dcarch7 d c f l a s h 7 @ y a h o o . c o m

gnappi

CA Kate z9

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Never heard of it one minute, it's everywhere the next: LOQUATS

Comments (12)

Related Discussions

lowsparkOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

lowspark
Original Author