Did a long walk yesterday across the fields ( Ghadira to Qawra Point) on the way (in the beautiful "Kalkara Valley"--near Xemxija) I found a fruit tree with strange fruits on it. They taste a little like apple-quiet sweet, but in shape they resemble a lemon. They have a very strong smell as unbroken fruit on the tree.
I asked 3 different vegetable sellers--comments ranged from obscene to shrugged shoulders! I saw them last year too in Feb. near to Rabat so they are not unique. Is it possible for apple to cross-pollinate with lemons? Anyone any ideas exactly what this fruit is please?
Some pics. here too.
( P.S. I believe the ancient Maltese basket is also an old standard measure of volume-can someone confirm please? Thanks in advance--Ian)
Weird fruit-not apple or lemon...
Moderators: AlanOuten, MWP admin, IL-PINE
Weird fruit-not apple or lemon...
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You asked farmers and they did not reply,
You searched internet and did not find a clue
You read books and remained in darkenss
You wondered for several months what this fruit is, and no sign of light
You ask MaltaWildPlants.com and....
YOU GET AN ANSWER less than 24 hrs
You searched internet and did not find a clue
You read books and remained in darkenss
You wondered for several months what this fruit is, and no sign of light
You ask MaltaWildPlants.com and....
YOU GET AN ANSWER less than 24 hrs
Thanks very much Stephen. Mystery solved. - Actually, I didn't wonder for " several months" a soon as I saw the tree, I thought " aha! Malta Wild Plants will know!".
Also I thought it might stimulate a bit more interest in the forum too. I didn't want to pick too many Quinces, so don't have enough for the jam or the bottled recipes, but there will be something to use them for for sure. Of special interest to me is the Maltese name too--as I can "blind my friends with science" about them! Thanks again for a prompt reply.
Also I thought it might stimulate a bit more interest in the forum too. I didn't want to pick too many Quinces, so don't have enough for the jam or the bottled recipes, but there will be something to use them for for sure. Of special interest to me is the Maltese name too--as I can "blind my friends with science" about them! Thanks again for a prompt reply.
I thought you have been wondering since then! Keep us informed if you produce something tasting good with the Quince.saw them last year too in Feb
I had no idea that they used to pick this fruit up in basket quantities.
Something related - if you happen to know the location / find specimens of Mespilus germanica, let me know - it is very rare and would like to see it.
they sell medlar haha Another one of my most favourite walks is along the valley that comes into the sea at Mistra Bay. I usually begin under the bridge on the approach road, near the Palace, then follow the valley right through to Id-Delli--a farmer once told me that locally it is called "Kalkara" valley ( Lime-burning?). Certainly it is littered with tombs, prehistoric quarries and lots of tiny fields with dozens of farmers( normally friendly and talkative), "UP" the valley, (past the 3 Roman apiaries), is a large prehistoric quarry cut out of the river bank, you can't miss the shapes- about here there are two Quince trees, as well as some other marsh-tolerant plants and several nice clusters of Narcissi, and various flowering plants.
I am looking for a good crop of Rummien or Pomegranate (Punica granatum) to photograph-nice red ones??
I am looking for a good crop of Rummien or Pomegranate (Punica granatum) to photograph-nice red ones??
Re: Weird fruit-not apple or lemon...
Acording to Joseph Aquilina, Maltese-English Dictionary:Hulland wrote: ( P.S. I believe the ancient Maltese basket is also an old standard measure of volume-can someone confirm please? Thanks in advance--Ian)
Mezza, pl. mezez is
.........
- Wicker basket for fruit, tomatoes etc. smaller than a qartalla.
- Weight/measure of fruit, potato etc. of about 25 rotolos. It is used both as a solid (fruit etc.) and liquid (wine, oil etc.) measure.
........
(1 rotolo = 793 gramm -> 25 rotolos = 19,825 kg)
sigra
Good morning Stephen,
It is a specific interest of mine-the old Maltese words. The biggest disappointment to me though is, when I DO find an old, traditional word ( example;- dragonfly -- il- Mazzarrel. NOT " il-Helicopter" !) and mention it to my numerous Maltese friends, they either " never heard of it" or worse, are not in the slightest interested. Just goes to show that, unfortunately, Maltese is being diluted by other languages at an ever-increasing speed. How many Maltese teenagers have ever eaten Zinzli ?? Most don't know what I am talking about.
It is a specific interest of mine-the old Maltese words. The biggest disappointment to me though is, when I DO find an old, traditional word ( example;- dragonfly -- il- Mazzarrel. NOT " il-Helicopter" !) and mention it to my numerous Maltese friends, they either " never heard of it" or worse, are not in the slightest interested. Just goes to show that, unfortunately, Maltese is being diluted by other languages at an ever-increasing speed. How many Maltese teenagers have ever eaten Zinzli ?? Most don't know what I am talking about.
Hulland,
If you want, I can setup a topic on this forum (I give you moderator status) and you can creat a kind of dictionary with old Maltese names and their meaning.
The contents will be seen by all public (not restricted to members only).
Only if you have passion and interest to do this, you are not obliged.
If you want, I can setup a topic on this forum (I give you moderator status) and you can creat a kind of dictionary with old Maltese names and their meaning.
The contents will be seen by all public (not restricted to members only).
Only if you have passion and interest to do this, you are not obliged.
It needs thinking, but I have some ideas.... I'll come back shortly.
In the meantime you can start drafting a list some words on MS Words. You may make a page for every letter of the alphabet and update accordingly whenever you have time. Then you have to transfer the text from your Doc to the forum by a copy and paste.
Should not be difficult, but needs patience
In the meantime you can start drafting a list some words on MS Words. You may make a page for every letter of the alphabet and update accordingly whenever you have time. Then you have to transfer the text from your Doc to the forum by a copy and paste.
Should not be difficult, but needs patience
Thanks Stephen, no urgent panic though on my behalf.
Today I tried an experiment. Got the bus to Mgarr, walked all round Wied Santi, Wied il-Hmar and Wied Il-Gnejna, - up to the top of a fortified hill ( Il-Gudja). Then down to the beach at Gnejna, ( cold orange juice !) back up the cliff to the caves just underneath Lippija Tower, across the top of that hill ( acres of beautiful Blue Saghtar) and down to the tiny hamlet of Ghajn Tuffieha, along the top of " Il-Hotba" ridge to search for any more parts of the Roman road, past the hamlet of Il-Palm, then walked back from Ballut to my house at Qawra - all to see if walking is out of the question or not in these temperatures-
Conclusion ;- provided you wear a hat and carry enough water it is fine. Saw many dragonflies, although not so many flowers now of course, more seeds and fruits.
Today I tried an experiment. Got the bus to Mgarr, walked all round Wied Santi, Wied il-Hmar and Wied Il-Gnejna, - up to the top of a fortified hill ( Il-Gudja). Then down to the beach at Gnejna, ( cold orange juice !) back up the cliff to the caves just underneath Lippija Tower, across the top of that hill ( acres of beautiful Blue Saghtar) and down to the tiny hamlet of Ghajn Tuffieha, along the top of " Il-Hotba" ridge to search for any more parts of the Roman road, past the hamlet of Il-Palm, then walked back from Ballut to my house at Qawra - all to see if walking is out of the question or not in these temperatures-
Conclusion ;- provided you wear a hat and carry enough water it is fine. Saw many dragonflies, although not so many flowers now of course, more seeds and fruits.
I don't really recommend to walk in the countryside between 10am and 4pm during the Summer months of July to September because:
1) too hot
2) no interesting plants
3) uv penetration to skin tissue is still at high risk despite clothes and sunblock.
1) too hot
2) no interesting plants
3) uv penetration to skin tissue is still at high risk despite clothes and sunblock.
Last edited by MWP admin on Fri Jun 24, 2011 8:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1) I don't mind the heat ( often stay on the beach from 9.30 - 7PM)
2) I found - and photographed - many plants that were of real interest ( to me at least, possibly first time this late in the season for me).
3) I don't smoke and hardly drink, so my only real vice is UV absorption.
But nevertheless, I do appreciate your advice.
2) I found - and photographed - many plants that were of real interest ( to me at least, possibly first time this late in the season for me).
3) I don't smoke and hardly drink, so my only real vice is UV absorption.
But nevertheless, I do appreciate your advice.
Tasted jelly-like dessert in Sicily beginning of this month made from "melocotone", apparently it is a typical sweet for that period.chea wrote:This is Cydonia oblonga.
We make juice, jelly, liqueur or liquor from the fruit.
Monika
It was delicious, it looks like regular jelly so I was not expecting much, but it tastes just like eating a fruit, texture and all. Tastes mostly of pear.
RB