I am very fortunate that my local greengrocer shares my passion for the slightly unusual. They can’t go too far into the bizarre for fear of scaring away all their customers but they do try to get quinces, medlars, mulberries and the like. The lady who runs the shop is almost more enthusiastic than me about greengages. She has tried to get the golden but they are rarer than anything. I will happily settle for green if golden isn’t around. And for the perfect summer dessert my Greengage and Almond Ice Cream is just the ticket.
Put the greengages into a pan with the water and sugar and heat until the gages are softened and have released their stones. Remove the stones from the pan and allow the fruit mixture to cool. Toast some of the flaked almonds in a dry pan until golden brown. When the fruit has cooled, mix in the almonds and the custard and then put in an ice cream machine for about half an hour and then into the freezer. If you don’t have an ice cream machine put it straight into the freezer and then remove every half an hour, mix and refreeze until frozen.
Brain freeze seems inevitable when eating ice cream. I really truly hate it and so try to take my time when devouring cold things. This was no exception and what a great ice cream to take time over. The custard is such a great shortcut and lends its creaminess and slight vanilla flavour so well to the gages. The gages were subtle but singing with very slight tartness coming from the skins. The almonds added a lovely texture and background tone. I tried to keep the gages slightly sharp so that they could be tasted amongst the other flavours.
If you’ve ever wondered why almonds and cherries or plums are such good culinary friends then I hope that my picture above goes some way to explaining why. Get yourself a plum stone and crack it open. Inside the stone is what I will call a nugget. A nugget of the most intense almond flavour you can imagine. I’m not sure they are edible so don’t take my word for it but I’ve eaten a few and despite them being very bitter the almond flavour is almost overwhelming. Every day is a school day.
Wow, that looks so delicious, adore ice cream, may give it a go!x
I do enjoy greengages a lot – I had some for dessert this evening – but I’ve never thought of making an ice cream with them. Lovely idea. I’m sure that I was told once that plum stones could be used to make hydrogen cyanide. I’m not sure that’s true but it’s enough to scare me off.
Hm..I have to fing out what that greengages is first.. :))))
You’re so lucky to have fruits popping in your backyard! Maybe next year for the quince…what an unusual but enticing dessert!
I have never heard of this fruit before.. But this ice cream sounds good, especially with the almonds. I love the muted green colour.
This is a new fruit for me! Plum for me is a plum, yellow or purple. I love to read your posts and discover new things (sorry for reapeting the same thing again about your posts). This ice-cream must have a very interesting flavour. Different.
I love greengages, have never tried to open the kernel but must do that next time! Found loads in the local farm shop!
Gorgeous photos. Your plum ice cream looks really creamy.
Thank you so very much for the comment on my post “Garden Gal!” I’m glad I got to share my favorite room in my apartment with you! I have to say… I really enjoyed this post! All summer I have been dying for a fruit tree and I loved hearing about your plants!
-Nico
My greengrocer stocks hard to come by fruits for a short time and has only a small box on show – I think this is to encourage us all to try something new. I think your ice cream machine has done a magnificent job and given you a splendid greengage and almond ice cream you can’t buy in the shops.
What a gorgeous combination of flavours my friend for an ice cream 😀
Cheers
CCU
I have rarely tasted these plums and really can’t remember much about them. I think it’s great that you choose to plant rare fruit – you can enjoy them even more.
Love your choice of almond ice cream. Very tasty.
Hi there, Just to let you know that I have put you into my Featured Food Blog list for September. Cheers
aw how cute that you give all these trees personalities! And yes almonds do just go so beautifully and perfectly with plums and cherries. I’m a firm believer of the fact that things that grow together, go together, this is one example (:
You have prepared a real delicacy. This inspires me!
How great to have several fruit trees! I wish I could grow some fruit. I have a loquat tree that does well enough, but that’s it. The plum and almond ice cream sounds delicious!
Wow, I love all the things you make, I have never heard of half the ingredients you use, but you get me intrigued, and I look them up. This looks great!
I loved this post. Glad I’m not alone in giving my plants/trees personalities. I’ve never heard of greengages for sale in a shop before!