Yesterday, Annie, Ladelle and I went to pick fruit amongst the many fruit trees at an abandon house. Sadly, most of the fruit had already gone bad and fallen on the ground. Annie remarked that is was a pity, with the cost of fruit, that such goodness was wasted.
Nevertheless, Annie and I picked what fruit we could that was remaining on the trees, while my friend Ladelle took photos. It felt so odd to be on the other side of the lens.
Annie had a blue short sleeve sweater on, and I had a long sleeve beige one on. Strange as it might sound, Provence is having a rainy cold spell… Summer with a sweater… is hard to imagine isn't it?
Annie's method for picking yellow plums is to lightly shake the branch and let the plums fall in a sack. While Annie shaked rattled and rolled plums, I picked apricots.
At ninety-two climbing a tree is out. But rock she did. She scored a ton.
Annie loves fruit. She eats five to six pieces a day. Maybe that is her secret to a long, healthy, strong life, a sound mind and amazing character. Or maybe that is why she can out pick me when it comes to fruit? Annie has a passion for fruit like I have a passion for brocante. And that means it is a love affair.
Annie is going to make jam with the over ripe plums.
Ladelle is going to make an apricot pie.
And I am going to lick my lips.
How to pick fruit from a tree:
Wear sturdy shoes for better grip in the branches and on the ladder.
Use a sturdy ladder.
Wear pants as not to scratch your legs, and not to get caught up in the branches.
Use a small basket or sack to gather the fruit as you pick, larger ones become cumbersome and heavy.
(Rules: I should have paid attention to, but did not.)
Annie eyed two peaches on the peach tree. I could tell that she aching to pick they were out of her reach. Next to the tree stood a stone sink, a perfect "ladder" you might say. I managed to climb it, much to her worry and picked them.
I love feeling the sweetness of a morning well spent, especially when eating sun kissed fresh from the tree fruit. Is there anything better than a warm juicy apricot
In the garden with several different fruit trees: Nectarine, pear, purple plum and yellow plum, cherry, fig, apple, peach, apricot…
Annie was in paradise.
We talked, and picked, and searched for more trees.
Ladelle's Apricot Custard Pie:
Ripe apricots cut in half,
1 cup of sugar
2 large egg yolks,
3/4 cup of cream,
2 Tblsp. of corn starch (mixed with 1 Tblsp of cold water)
a pinch of salt,
1/4 cup of sliced almonds.
Pie crust.
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In the pie crust arrange the apricot halves side up,
whish sugar, egg yolks, cream, corn starch and salt.
Pour the mixture over the apricots.
Sprinkle the almonds.
Bake for thirty-five minutes at 325°.
Serve warm.
Thanks Ladelle for the photos of our day!
Notes:
Canning for a New Generation: Bold, Fresh Flavors for the Modern Pantry
Mes Confitures: The Jams and Jellies of Christine Ferber
Rustic Fruit Desserts: Crumbles, Buckles, Cobblers, Pandowdies, and More
Baking Blogs (Apricot recipes listed):
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