Patte de loup is an old variety of French apple, very resistant to pests and disease. The fruit keeps a long time, with a sweet taste and an acidic finish, sometimes a hint of aniseed.
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| Organic locally grown apples at Preuilly market. |
The variety comes from Maine et Loire, to our west, where it has been grown since the Middle Ages. Legend has it that it was Anne of Brittany's favourite apple.
Patte de loup means 'wolf paw'. Supposedly they are named for the scarring that commonly develops on their skin as they have a burst of rapid growth, which is said to resemble the mark made by wolf claws, or the shape of a wolf's paw.
They are medium sized, a bit flattened and have distinctive russet type rough greeny yellow brown skin.
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| Organic Patte de loup apples at Preuilly market for €3.20/kg. |
I buy them regularly from my local organic apple orchard at the Saturday market in Preuilly, but you don't see them much in the supermarkets. They can be eaten raw or cooked in tarts or compotes, and pair well with cheese or cured meat.
10 comments:
I have never heard of the apple Patte de Loup. It is a local variety as you say. That’s why. When in Paris, I used to make compote with Granny Smith apples to eat with blood sausage. Un vrai régal!
Interesting. We saw Patte de Loup apples at the verger conservatoire near Veigne. Every one of the fruits had big scars. I had assumed nobody had an interest in growing them commercially but I'm glad I was wrong. I'm always happy to see the preservation of any heritage variety.
Talking about heirloom apples, in the 1940s, in the Jardins Albert Kahn, in Boulogne-Billancourt near Paris, I tasted a delicious apple, the Belle de Pontoise.
If you have a chance, these gardens are worth a visit. I went there numerous times over the years and the seasons. I introduced them to many people. By the way, there is a metro station nearby!
Here is a link to Jardins Albert-Kahn and Museum
https://www.french-gardens.com/gardens/jardin-albert-kahn.php
We have a Patte de Loup here.... still small and young.
It is a slow grower according to the Croquers du Pomme...
15 years to first fruits rather than 10.
And I have just bought some of their "chickens" from the EpiCentre....
COOP 43.... absolutely ace apples...
bought 4 for eating normally,
and two vast specimens that will be destined for the oven this week!
chm: Granny Smiths are one of my favourites. I grew up with it of course, as it is an Australian variety. We have one in the orchard but it never produces many fruits.
The Albert Kahn Museum has been on our list for ages, but so far we haven't made it there.
Carolyn: Tony at the organic orchard really likes heritage varieties so they grow quite a few surprising apples commercially.
Le Pré de la Forge: I usually get a couple of Coop 43 each week too. Had one for lunch today in fact.
Another park/garden that I mentioned before is the Parc de la Source in Orléans. The main permanent attraction is the exotic butterfly green house. Not to be missed!
Here is the Wikipedia link :
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parc_Floral_de_la_Source
chm: Must go to Orléans one day, but it is in that inconvient distance -- too far for a nice day trip, not far enough for a holiday.
Susan, do you have a minimum distance for a holiday destination....
I would class anywhere that isn't day-trippable at the very least a "long weekend" break.
Le Pré de la Forge: a holiday distance is at least as far as one can drive in a day. Although going to the coast is the same distance as Orléans, and I'd treat that as a holiday.
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