Loquat Pie

 

Intro

For a few years a Summer highlight for our family was the Organic River Festival at Kimberly River. The Festival went through a few changes and is no longer held which is a dam shame. However, back to my story.... Couple of years back I helped a good friend on his stall. He manufactures gorgeous organic fruit juices and apple cider vinegar under the label Coral Tree. We sold organic plums from his orchard but he also had this massive crop of loquats from lovely old tree. We decided to try and make something from the loquats using organic ingredients as far as possible. A hunt around the internet, a few trial batches and voila - Loquat Pies. 

Recipe

Prepare 4 cups of washed, seeded and chopped loquats (use flesh and skin only) . Simmer together with half a cup of water until soft and pulpy (about 30 minutes). 

Sift these together:

• 2 tablespoons flour
• quarter teaspoon all spice
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sugar

Add to the fruit and stir over heat until mixture thickens. Cook for 1 minute.  Allow to cool then use as a pie filling. I used this Sweet short pastry recipe but used organic flour and organic honey instead of sugar. A simple fruit crumble topping completed the pies.