EAT THE SEASONS

Greengage

LEGEND HAS IT THAT THE GREENGAGE GETS ITS NAME FROM SIR WILLIAM GAGE, 2ND BARONET OF HENGRAVE, WHO IMPORTED A BATCH OF FRUIT TREES FROM FRANCE TO HIS HOME IN SUFFOLK IN THE EARLY 1700S. THE LABELS GOT LOST ON THE WAY AND THE GREEN FRUIT PRODUCED BY THE TREE BECAME KNOWN AS THE GREEN GAGE’S PLUM. THE FRUIT, WHICH IS IN SEASON FROM AUGUST TO SEPTEMBER, IS A PARTICULARLY SWEET TYPE OF VARIETY. TURN IT INTO A CHUTNEY TO SERVE WITH MACKEREL OR ADD IT TO A FOOL OR CRUMBLE FOR PUDDING.