Can anyone identify this fruit from a tree?

[gutrotwein]

Please?

[BestIsWestOfGallifrey]

Is it a medlar?

[zoemaguire]

I'd say quince.

[SurelyYoureJokingMrFeynman]

It's a medlar.

[BoreOfWhabylon]

Medlar

[zoemaguire]

Ah no, i reckon medlar is right sorry!

[ReedBunting]

definitely medlar

[gutrotwein]

Thanks guys - definitely a medlar (not that I'd ever heard of one before!). Have now googled it and will eagerly await ripening of fruit in the winter!

[TheSpottedZebra]

It is a medlar. It looks like a cat's arse and in fact it used to be called that in days of yore (not exact historical period).

But you don't pick them ripe. Do they even go ripe? You pick them hard, and left them decompose soften a bit. It's called bletting. They make nice jelly, of the sort that you'd add to meats or eat with cheese.

[shovetheholly]

Just to second what Zebra says - the unripe fruits are dangerous. Leave them on the tree til after the first frost - then make sure they are really rotten before using them. Watch the seeds too - you don't want to eat many of them, as they are poisonous too.

[ProfYaffle]

Ooh, lucky you! Loads of recipes here Medlar fudge is nice though it's not a true fudge, more like a fruit butter but still nice.

[echt]

It's called an open-arse in "Romeo and Juliet. I had fun explaining that to my class this year.:o

[PfftTheMagicDraco]

make sure they are really rotten before using them. Watch the seeds too - you don't want to eat many of them, as they are poisonous too.

What a delightful food

[gutrotwein]

You can rest assured I will be bletting in the autumn!
Thanks for all your advice, links, etc. Will try not to poison anyone.