azarole
/ˈazərəʊl
/noun
1An edible Mediterranean fruit which resembles a tiny apple and is used for making preserves.Its companion piece, Still Life with pomegranates, apples, azaroles and grapes in a landscape, is obviously related in composition and is derived from a style popular in seventeenth century Italy that Melendez saw on his travels....
- Quinces, various types of apples, apricots, peaches, cherries, pears, plums, currants, blackberries, melons, and azaroles were grown.
- Israel is believed to be within the Mediterranean Basin and the Middle East the primary source for carob, olive, azarole, jujube and the almond.
2The small hawthorn-like tree bearing azaroles.
- Crataegus azarolus, family Rosaceae.
- The azarole has long been cultivated for its edible fruit in S. Europe.
- The species with the best fruit is the azarole, C. azarolus (sometimes called Naples medlar but no relation to the ordinary medlar).
Origin
Mid 17th century: from French azerole, from Spanish azarolla.