Quince

About

Quince is linked in various myths and traditions to the forbidden fruit of Eden, the pomegranates of the Song of Solomon, and the golden apple of the Trojan War. Its flavor combines rose, pear, and apple notes with a hint of jasmine, developing notes of cognac, pineapple, and mushroom as it ripens. Most cultivars are too hard and astringent to eat raw, though a few, such as Karp's Sweet and Kuganskaya, can be eaten out of hand, especially when grown in warm climates. Because quince needs a large amount of sugar to become palatable, it is often balanced with sour ingredients such as buttermilk or yogurt, while cheese adds saltiness and complements its flavor notes; it can substitute for apple or pear in many recipes, and quince liqueur is a common way to preserve its flavor.

Pairs well with quince

• CiLemonLemon and quince don't share much flavor overlap, though quince is sometimes said to have a lemon-blossom quality.
• SuGarlicAllioli de codony is a Catalan garlic mayonnaise enriched with quince puree (apple or pear can stand in or supplement it), served with…
• WoAlmondQuince salami, made in Bulgaria and Macedonia, is a quince paste studded with almonds and candied fruit, rolled and sliced.
• SpCinnamonCinnamon suits quince as it does the related apple and pear, particularly complementing quince's pineapple and rose notes, and can flavor…
• FrAppleQuince's strong perfume can transfer to nearby apples in storage, which is why the Royal Horticultural Society advises keeping them apart…
• ChCheeseQuince paste (membrillo) has a fruity, floral flavor - starting pineapple-like and developing toward strawberry - and a grainy texture…
• FfVanillaVanilla shares complex woody, fruity, vinous and floral notes with quince, making it a strong match in custard, ice cream or frangipane,…
• FfHoneyQuince, usually too hard and sour to eat raw, becomes strikingly aromatic once cooked.
• MuMustardQuince and mustard combine in mostarda di Venezia: quinces are cooked in sugar with lemon zest and juice, then mustard powder is stirred…
• CrRaisinApple and raisin are a familiar mince-pie filling; substituting quince for apple intensifies the flavor considerably.
• CrPruneQuince and prunes can be cooked together with sugar and water into a compote; keeping the pits in the prunes is said to help them hold…
• BeCranberryQuince, cranberry and apple together were known as 'paradise' in early-20th-century America, most popularly served as a pink jelly.
• WoSweet potatoA Greek dish from the Lefkada region combines quince, sweet potato and eggplant into something like a denser, sweeter ratatouille.