| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 1 hr – 1hr 30 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 257 | 0.3g | 0g | 66g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 50g | 8g | 1.4g | 0.11g |
If you’ve spent any time perusing the index of recipes on this site, you’ll know
I take immense joy in sharing meals that hold a special place in my heart. This recipe for Medlar Fruit Butter checks every box for me – it’s
delicious, nostalgic, and as an added bonus, it’s packed full of health benefits.
A Fall Favorite with Historic Roots
Growing up in New Jersey with Italian grandparents, fresh fruit preserves and homemade jams were as much a staple part of our pantry as pasta and meatballs.
Fruit preserves were a sweet note that marked the change of the seasons, each jar sealed with the goodness of sun-ripened fruits. Amongst them, Medlar Fruit Butter stood out as a family favorite.
The Lesser-Known Medlar Fruit Butter
To the uninitiated, Medlar is an heirloom fruit that has a unique, almost spiced-apple-taste. When transformed into a butter, Medlar takes on a richness and depth of flavor that is simply unmatched. It is reminiscent of apple butter, but with an added layer of complexity from the unique spices which blend beautifully with the fruity base.
Paired to Perfection
The beauty of this Medlar Fruit Butter lies not only in its stand-alone deliciousness, but also in its spectacular versatility. It’s a delicious topping for a warm slice of homemade bread, adds a sweet twist to a cheese board, and forms an impeccable partner for a Thanksgiving turkey or even a Christmas ham.
The Gift of Health in a Jar
Aside from their amazing flavor, Medlar fruits also bring a host of health benefits. Packed with Vitamins A, C, and E, they help boost immunity, maintain healthy skin, and protect against free radicals – making this Medlar Fruit Butter recipe not only a gastronomic delight but a nutritional powerhouse as well!
So, this fall season, try out the Medlar Fruit Butter recipe. I assure you, you will be coming back for seconds.
What You’ll Need
- 2 lbs of ripe medlar fruits
- 1 cup of granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon of lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt
- 2 cups of water
Method
Step One
Start by thoroughly washing the 2 lbs of ripe medlar fruits. Once clean, cut them in half and discard the seeds.
Step Two
Next, place the halved medlar fruits in a large pot and add 2 cups of water. Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
Step Three
Once the mixture has bubbled for a while, reduce the heat and let it simmer. Let the fruits cook until they become soft and pulpy. This process can take approximately 30-40 minutes.
Step Four
After the fruits have softened, remove them from the heat. Use a blender or immersion blender to puree the fruits to your desired consistency.
Step Five
Return the puréed fruit to the pot and add 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of lemon zest, 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt to the pot. Stir these ingredients well until they are evenly distributed.
Step Six
Over medium heat, stir the mixture constantly until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Step Seven
Continue to simmer the medlar fruit butter, stirring occasionally for another 30 minutes, or until the butter has thickened to your desired consistency.
Step Eight
Finally, remove the medlar fruit butter from the heat and allow it to cool. Once it has cooled, it can be stored in jars or other airtight containers. Treat the butter just like jam or jelly, it is perfect to spread on toast, to glaze meat or to sweeten up a dessert. Enjoy your homemade Medlar Fruit Butter!
