Veggie & Fruit Guide
Veggie & Fruit- Please select from abc list
Quince
Preparation & Serving
Quinces are too astringent to be eaten raw (due to high tannin content), but
their flavour mellows upon cooking. High pectin content makes quinces ideal
for use in jams, preserves and jellies, while their ability to hold their
shape lends them to use in baking, stewing and poaching. The flesh of the
quince turns a beautiful red when cooked, and gives of a heady perfume which
enhances the flavour of jams and baked goods.
Do not prepare quinces
too far in advance as the flesh will turn brown when cut. Directly before
use, wash well and then peel the quince using a vegetable peeler. Use a
sharp paring knife to cut the fruit in half lengthwise, and remove the core
including the hard parts surrounding the core. Quarter, slice or dice as
required.
Serving ideas:
- Poach quince slices in water to which
a little sugar, a cinnamon stick and half a vanilla bean is added. Serve for
breakfast with plain yoghurt.
- Create exotic quince compote using quince
slices, frozen cranberries, pomegranate seeds and oranges. This can be
served with muesli and yoghurt for breakfast, with cream or mascarpone for
dessert or as an accompaniment to duck, chicken or turkey.
- Peel and
grate raw quince and mix with grated onion, chopped red chilli, lemon juice
and salt to make a traditional Cape Malay sambal that can be served with
ostrich steaks or a meat dish of your choice.
- Make membrillo (a quince
paste commonly eaten in Spain) and arrange wedges or blocks on your cheese
platter for an alternate to fig preserve.
- Quince jelly is delicious
and best paired with roast leg of lamb.
- Add fragrant fruity quince
wedges to your favourite lamb or beef stew/curry and serve with basmati
rice.
- Arrange overlapping wedges of quince in a pie dish and drizzle
with honey and a mixture of lemon or lime juice and water. Bake until soft
and golden, and serve with lemon sorbet for a sweet and tangy dessert.
-
Replace half the apple in your apple crumble recipe with poached quince
slices and throw in a handful of frozen berries for festive colour – a
crumble with a difference!
- Poached quince slices are also a delicious
tart topping together with your choice of seasonal fruit.
