The medlars are somewhat rough fruits that we can take in a thousand ways and that add variety to our diet.Medlars are made up of water, sugars and a notable fiber content in the form of pectins. In addition, in terms of micronutrients, they contain beta-carotene, magnesium and calcium. And they have aromatic compounds and tannins that give them the particular astringency that characterizes them.
Sweet medlars without much sugar
First of all, we must remember that the sugar contained in fruits is not the one whose consumption the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends reducing and limiting. The sugar in fruits is found naturally in them and we eat it together with the rest of the fruit’s components, including fiber, which will slow down its absorption, except when what we do is make juices or other derivatives of the fruit, in which we lose the fiber or part of it.
How to take them
Loquats are really very versatile fruits because, in addition to being able to consume them fresh, as a dessert or between meals , they are also often used to make sweet desserts, both confectionery as part of biscuits, cakes and tarts, as well as in compotes and jams. On the other hand, they are also used in the kitchen to accompany meats, fish, complementing salads, or even mixed with rice or other cereals. For all this, sometimes we are going to consume them raw and other times cooked.
Medlar varieties
There are different varieties of medlars that differ mainly by their size and color. The most common varieties are similar in size to a chicken egg, between rounded and pear-shaped, and with orange, slightly yellowish flesh. This is the case, for example, of the “algerie” or “tanaka” varieties. Other types of specimens, such as the “golden nuget”, are round, larger and dark orange in color with brown spots. Even larger are the medlars of the “peluche” variety, which are more yellowish in color, which are fleshy and juicy but somewhat more tasteless.
WITH DESIGNATION OF ORIGIN
- There are medlars with denomination of origin. It is about the “Nísperos de Callosa d´En Sarriá”. The production area covered by the Denomination of Origin is located in the northeast part of the province of Alicante. The axis is located in Callosa d’En Sarriá, extending to several towns in the Marina Baixa.
Who are loquats suitable for and who are not?
They are recommended for:
- Weight loss diets: it is well known that when we seek to lose weight we must reduce the caloric intake of the diet. Vegetables and fruits are going to help us in that and precisely medlars are one of the fruits that provide fewer calories.
- Children: its sweetness is usually liked, although having this astringent point may in some cases cause rejection at first. When cooked, this astringency decreases. They are an attractive and fun food to offer as a snack or dessert and give variety to the diet of the little ones.
- Constipation: the fiber content of medlars will help improve intestinal transit and therefore represent a good option for people who have a tendency to constipation.
They are not suitable in:
- Potassium-limited diets: medlars, like most fruits, contain not insignificant amounts of potassium, which is why they will not be suitable for potassium-restricted diets, as occurs in cases of kidney disease.
Tips for buying and preserving medlars
When buying loquats, we should always choose specimens that are whole, healthy, not bruised, without soft or brown areas. We will prefer units with uniform skin color. We must take into account that green specimens are indigestible, so it is important to choose them with good color. To preserve them, it is enough to protect them from direct light and from shocks and humidity. We can store them in a cool area of the kitchen. Another possibility is to have them in the refrigerator, but in the least cold area.
Clean hands
The medlars, when peeled, impregnate our hands with the juice they give off and this has the characteristic of dyeing or darkening the skin with which it contacts. When we peel few units, this effect may go unnoticed, but if we are going to have to peel many, it is advisable to use gloves to avoid staining the fingers.
Loquat recipe
Baked turkey en papillote with medlars and cherry tomatoes.
Ingredients
- Turkey
- medlars
- little tomatoes
- Oregano
- Olive oil
Preparation
Nothing easier than this recipe, for which we only need the cut turkey pieces, clean the tomatoes and chop them, peel the medlars, chop them and place everything on a baking paper that gives us the possibility of wrapping it creating a bag to make in papillote. Before closing, sprinkle the oregano, sprinkle with a splash of oil, and bake. We could also include other vegetables such as zucchini, spring onions or leeks. The cooking time can be very variable depending on the size of the piece of turkey, it can be about 20 minutes when the package is already hot. On the other hand, we can complement the recipe with a cereal, such as brown or basmati rice, pasta or quinoa, etc., and in this way we would have a complete meal, yes, taking a good amount of vegetables, not a mere accompaniment.
What you should know…
- Season: the best months for consumption are April, May and June.
- Benefits: they are rich in fiber, vitamins such as beta-carotene and minerals such as potassium.
- Ideal for: children, people who suffer from constipation, on weight loss diets.
