The guava is a fruit not generally known in the north, though
quite a demand exists in southern markets. There are several
varieties of this fruit, some of which are natives of Asia, some of
America, and some are common to both. The best of these is the
white guava, which is abundant in the West Indies ; is rather larger
than a hen's egg, smooth, yellow and of a peculiar smell. The pulp
is of a very agreeable taste, sweet and aromatic, and is used at
dessert and preserved. Gauva jelly comes from the West Indies,
is highly esteemed, and excellent for giving strength and tone to
one after a long illness or when digestion is impaired.
Pineapples when well matured are delicious and wholesome,
and may be had at almost any season.
Of the smaller domestic fruits strawberries may be had from
the last of April until into July. The Crescent is the best variety
for table use. Cherries ripen in June and the best table va^^ieties
are the Oxheart, Whiteheart and Blackheart. The sweet "ground
cherry," as it is called, is a fruit but little known in market though
280 FRUIT.
it has been successfully grown in private gardens for many years*
It is the fruit of a plant which in its general appearance, habits and
growth resembles the tomato plant. The fruit is round as a cherry,
and about three-fourths of an inch in diameter when taken out of
the husk in which it is enclosed. When ripe the fruit falls from
the plant and is better to lie in the husk awhile, when it becomes
very sweet. It makes most excellent pies, sauce or preserves, and
requires very little sweetening. When dried with a little sugar it is
equal to raisins for many purposes. It begins to blossom the last
of July, and, like the tomato, continues to blossom, set and ripen
till killed by the frost. Currants include red, white and black
varieties, the best of which are known as Cherry, Fay's Prolific^
White Dutch, and White Grape, and choice fruit can be obtained
in almost any market during. July. The ripening season begins in
June, and the fruit may be had until into August. Of red rasp-
berries theCuthbert is the finest of any yet known, though excellent
fruit is plentiful in its season, which is from the middle of June to
the middle of August. White raspberries are scarce and highly
prized. Fine black raspberries, or "black-caps," are common
everywhere in this country, as are also blackberries, of which the
Lawton ranks the highest. Gooseberries are not so much used
fresh at table as they should be, as when perfectly ripe they make
a delicious dessert. There are a number of varieties, red, yellow,
green and white, and may be had from May till August. What are
known as whortleberries and huckleberries are often confounded
with blueberries, which are much superior though of the same
species. The former have larger seeds and not so fine flavor as the
latter, and are not so desirable for any purpose. Blueberries make
a delicious dessert sprinkled with ice and sugar and served with
cream as any other fruit.
Page 232
Presented as published in 1890. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
The guava is a fruit not generally known in the north, though quite a demand exists in southern markets. There are several varieties of this fruit, some of which are natives of Asia, some of America, and some are common to both. The best of these is the white guava, which is abundant in the West Indies ; is rather larger than a hen's egg, smooth, yellow and of a peculiar smell. The pulp is of a very agreeable taste, sweet and aromatic, and is used at dessert and preserved. Guava jelly comes from the West Indies, is highly esteemed, and excellent for giving strength and tone to one after a long illness or when digestion is impaired.
Pineapples when well matured are delicious and wholesome, and may be had at almost any season.
Of the smaller domestic fruits strawberries may be had from the last of April until into July. The Crescent is the best variety for table use. Cherries ripen in June and the best table varieties are the Oxheart, Whiteheart and Blackheart. The sweet "ground cherry," as it is called, is a fruit but little known in market though
it has been successfully grown in private gardens for many years* It is the fruit of a plant which in its general appearance, habits and growth resembles the tomato plant. The fruit is round as a cherry, and about three-fourths of an inch in diameter when taken out of the husk in which it is enclosed. When ripe the fruit falls from the plant and is better to lie in the husk awhile, when it becomes very sweet. It makes most excellent pies, sauce or preserves, and requires very little sweetening. When dried with a little sugar it is equal to raisins for many purposes. It begins to blossom the last of July, and, like the tomato, continues to blossom, set and ripen till killed by the frost. Currants include red, white and black varieties, the best of which are known as Cherry, Fay's Prolific, White Dutch, and White Grape, and choice fruit can be obtained in almost any market during July. The ripening season begins in June, and the fruit may be had until into August. Of red raspberries theCuthbert is the finest of any yet known, though excellent fruit is plentiful in its season, which is from the middle of June to the middle of August. White raspberries are scarce and highly prized. Fine black raspberries, or "black-caps," are common everywhere in this country, as are also blackberries, of which the Lawton ranks the highest. Gooseberries are not so much used fresh at table as they should be, as when perfectly ripe they make a delicious dessert. There are a number of varieties, red, yellow, green and white, and may be had from May till August. What are known as whortleberries and huckleberries are often confounded with blueberries, which are much superior though of the same species. The former have larger seeds and not so fine flavor as the latter, and are not so desirable for any purpose. Blueberries make a delicious dessert sprinkled with ice and sugar and served with cream as any other fruit.