Crab Apples

Crab apples are mainly grown for their ornamental nature, this year the fruits are almost as big as eating apples, but don't be tempted, they are not sweet, and rarely eaten raw for this reason. In some southeast Asian cultures they are valued as a sour condiment, sometimes eaten with salt and chili pepper, or shrimp paste.
Crabapples are an excellent source of pectin, and their juice can be made into a ruby-coloured preserve with a full, spicy flavor.[My father-in-law favours crab-apple jelly as his breakfast preserve] A small percentage of crabapples in cider makes a more interesting flavour.
As Old English Wergulu, the crab apple is one of the nine plants invoked in the pagan Anglo-Saxon Nine Herbs Charm, recorded in the 10th century.

Another back breaking session at the allotment, mostly digging out nettle roots, unfortunately sporadic rain made a fire impossible [Boo]