Baked medlars with crème fraîche

Serves 6

Medlars, also known as loquats, are a delicious spring fruit which have a flavour somewhere between pear and apricot. They don't taste great raw and only really come into their own once cooked.

1kg/2lb medlars
2 vanilla pods, split in half lengthwise
170ml/6fl oz of water
The juice of one orange
100g/31/2oz caster sugar
4tbsp crème fraîche

Heat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas4. Cut the medlars in half and take out the stones. Remove the tough inner skin that surrounds the stone. Split the vanilla pods in half lengthwise and place the medlars, cut side up, in an ovenproof dish. Pour over the water and the orange juice. Sprinkle over the sugar and the vanilla pods. Bake in the oven for 45 minutes. Remove, and allow to completely cool and serve with the crème fraîche.