Fruits Raspberry to Whitecurrant
Raspberry
Rubus idaeus
Description
A cluster of tiny, red berries that grow on a rambling plant. Sometimes called the king of berries.
Wild raspberries are native to Britain and Europe, they began to be selectively cultivated during the 16th century.
Use
Wash gently, drain and gently dry. Can be added fresh to fruit salads or served with fresh cream. Cooked in pies and tarts. Can be pureed and added to ice cream and sorbets. Can be used to make jams and preserves.
Redcurrant
Rubus
Description
A small thin-skinned berry with a sour juicy fruit.
Native to the northern hemisphere, widely cultivated for many years.
Use
Remove the stem and rinse in a colander, drain well . Use fresh in sprinkled with sugar in fruit salads or in summer pudding. Can be cooked in pies and tarts. Can be pureed and added to ice cream, sorbets and drinks. Can be served with lamb or chicken. Can be used to make jams and preserves.
Rhubarb
Rheum rhaponticum
Description
Whilst often thought of as a fruit it is actually a vegetable of the same family as sorrel. It has straight stems of a dark red colour and large leaves which are poisonous.
Native to central Asia, it has been cultivated since 2000BC. It was primarily used as a medicinal plant until the 18th century when it was realised that it could be sweetened and eaten as a fruit.
Use
Trim away the white root stems and remove all leaves, wash in cold water, drain and dry. Cut into short lengths, can be stewed, poached or baked in sugar syrup until tender.
Can be served warm or cold.
Can be pureed and added to ice creams, fools, sorbets and sauces.
Used in desserts such as pies, crumbles and puddings.
Star Fruit
Averrboa carambola
Also known as: Belimbing asam, Belimbing manis, Bilimbi, Carambola, Five corners fruit, Mafueng, Star apple
Description
A fruit with a distinctive star shape having a waxy, yellow skin and crisp, juicy fruit.
Native to Indonesia, but disturbed around the tropics by Spanish and Portuguese traders.
Use
Wash and cut off the top and bottom, trim the tip from each rib. Eat as a fresh fruit or add to fresh to fruit or savoury salads, with cheese. Use as a garnish or puree and add to sorbets and drinks.
Strawberry
Fragaria virginiana
Description
The wild berry is small and more fragrant than the larger cultivated fruit. There are many varieties.
Originally native to North America, they were introduced into Britain in the 17th century and have been popular here ever since.
Use
Wash gently, drain, gently dry and remove the stem (hull). Can be added fresh to fruit salads or served with fresh cream, yoghurt or ice cream. Can be used in pies and tarts. Can be pureed and added to ice cream and sorbets. Or used as a decorative garnish. Can be used to make jams and preserves.
Tangerine
Citrus reticulata
Also known as: Mandarin orange, Clementine
Description
A small citrus fruit, with a thin, loose orange skin.
Thought to be originally native to Indo-China.
Use
It can be eaten whole or cut in half or segmented. It can be juiced, which can then be added to drinks, soups, sauces, marinades or added to a wide range of sweet and savoury dishes. It can be segmented or sliced and used as a garnish or added to drinks. Can be used to make marmalade and in preserves.
Tayberry
Rubus
Description
A cluster of tiny, red-purple berries that grow on a rambling plant.
Use
Wash gently, drain and dry.
Can be added fresh to fruit salads or cooked in pies and tarts.
Can be pureed and added to ice cream and sorbets.
Can be used to make jams and preserves.
Tomato
Lycopersicon esculentum
Also known as: Love apple
Description
The tomato is actually a fruit, it has a plump, shiny, thin skinned bright red body and a high water content.
Originally native to South America, when originally introduced to Britain it was grown for decorative purposes as it was thought to be poisonous.
Use
Rinse and dry. Use whole, halved, quartered, sliced, chopped or pureed. The skins can be removed by blanching. If used fresh, they are best at room temperature for a good flavour. Add to salads, sandwiches, in fresh sauces or as a garnish. Can be fried, grilled, baked, stuffed or microwaved. Add to soups, sauces, casseroles and many savoury dishes. Can also be added to chutneys and pickles or sun-dried.
Varieties
Roma tomato, Italian tomato, Plum tomato, Cherry tomato
Whitecurrant
Rubus
Description
A small thin-skinned berry with a sour juicy fruit.
Native to the northern hemisphere, widely cultivated for many years.
Use
Remove the stem and rinse in a colander, drain well . Use fresh in sprinkled with sugar in fruit salads or in summer pudding. Can be cooked in pies and tarts. Can be pureed and added to ice cream, sorbets and drinks. Can be served with lamb or chicken. Can be used to make jams and preserves.
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