Surprising predictions part 4

Get the Most Out of Quince Season with These Tips

Quince season is here and I can’t wait to start baking with this beautiful fruit! But what exactly is quince? Quince is most commonly referred to as apple of Asia and has been grown in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa since ancient times. 

Quince trees typically bear fruit around every other year, but some varieties may bear as often as every year or even twice per year.

What Are They?

Quinces are a fruit, but they’re often prepared like a vegetable. Also known as golden apples, they’re similar to pears in texture and color (they actually originated in Persia), but they have less sugar and more vitamin C than most fruits. 

They’re not only delicious; quinces are also great for your skin. So how can you get more out of quince season? Here are some tips First, understand that there are two types of quince: edible quince and ornamental quince. 

Edible quinces resemble yellowish-green apples, while ornamental ones look like small green pumpkins or gourds. Edible varieties aren’t grown commercially because their flesh is bitter—but it makes sense to try eating them when fresh since they don't keep well. 

Ornamental varieties produce flowers that resemble daffodils in late winter or early spring before their leaves appear, so keep an eye out for those.

Second, try roasting them over low heat with honey or other sweeteners until soft. Their texture is comparable to a combination between pumpkin and apple—and cooking them allows you to reduce their bitterness significantly! For added flavor, you can add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg during cooking.

Third, incorporate quinces into your favorite recipes that call for apples. They’re great in pies and tarts because they hold their shape well when cooked (unlike apples). 

They also work well in savory dishes like stews since they have a distinct flavor that doesn’t get lost among other ingredients. And don’t forget about desserts! You can add them to fruit compotes or use them as an alternative to pears in your favorite pear pie recipe.

Quinces are available from September through November at farmers markets and specialty grocers. So next time you see them at your local market, give them a try—you might just be surprised by how much you enjoy them.

Fourth, consider growing your own quince tree if you live in an area where it's hardy enough to grow outdoors year-round (typically USDA zones 5 through 8). 

It will take several years before it produces fruit, but once it does you'll be able to enjoy its benefits all year long. 

If you're not a gardener, check out local nurseries for ornamental varieties that are grown for their looks and not their edibility. You can also buy them online from specialty retailers like The Fruit Tree Collection.

Fifth, learn how to preserve quinces so that you can enjoy them throughout winter months when they’re out of season. They’re great for making jams and jellies—and they also freeze well! If you want to make jam or jelly at home, look up recipes online or try one of these.

Apple-Quince Jam from The Kitchn Red Wine-Poached Quince Jam from Serious Eats Poached Quince in Red Wine Syrup from Epicurious . If you're not a do-it-yourselfer, check out local specialty grocers or farmers markets for products made with quinces.

Sixth, if all else fails, consider using quinces as an ornamental plant in your garden (similar to ornamental apples). 

Their flowers are stunning and come in shades of white, pink, yellow and red depending on variety. Their leaves are also beautiful; some varieties have variegated leaves that resemble those of a crabapple tree.

Health Benefits

1. Boosts Immunity 2. Protects against Cancer 3. Lowers Cholesterol 4. Speeds up Digestion 5. Prevents Diabetes 6. Strengthens Heart 7. Lowers Risk of Stroke 8. Stabilizes Blood Pressure 9. 

Fights Inflammation 10. Reduces Anxiety 11. Aids in Weight Loss 12. Improves Skin Health 13. Provides Antioxidants 14. Helps Fight Infections 15. Relieves Menstrual Cramps 16. Helps Prevent Osteoporosis 17. Promotes Hair Growth 18. 

Improves Sleep 19. Reduces Depression 20. Alleviates PMS Symptoms 21 .Promotes Healthy Aging 22 .Prevents Macular Degeneration 23 .Protects against Alzheimer's 24 .Reduces Nausea 25 .Helps Treat Glaucoma 26. 

Improves Oral Health 27 .Prevents Bladder Infections 28 .Lowers Risk of Gallstones 29 Helps.

BladderBladderTreatMoreBladderBladderTreatMoreTreatTreat Erectile Dysfunction 30 and More! 31 .Delays Onset of Dementia 32 Supports Bone Strength 33 .Reduces Bad Cholesterol 34. 

Stimulates Sex Drive 35 Encourages Restful Sleep 36. Offers Pain Relief 37. Lowers Risk of Heart Attack 38. Combats Allergies 39. May Help Lower BloodBlood Sugar 40. and More! 41.

Relieves Asthma 42 .Strengthens Bones 43 .Fights Cold and Flu 44 .Relieves Headaches 45. Cures Hangovers 46. Can Be Used as a Natural Sunscreen 47. and More! 48 .May Reduce Acne 49.

Eases Muscle Soreness 50. and More! 51 .Speeds Up Wound Healing 52 .Heals Burns 53. and More! 54 .Aids in Tendon Repair 55 .Makes Teeth Whiter 56 .Helps Get Rid of Wrinkles 57.

Offers Relief from Arthritis 58 .Relieves Joint Pains 59 .Prevents Cavities 60. Kills Bacteria 61. and More! 62 .Helps Improve Mood 63 .Increases Breast Milk Production 64 .Reduces Hot Flashes 65 ..and More! 66 .Helps Treat Bronchitis 67.

Helps Decrease Chronic Fatigue Syndrome 68 .Aids in Weight Loss 69 .Decreases Insomnia 70. and More! 71 .Helps Relieve Stress 72 .and More! 73 .Combats Depression 74 .Improves Sexual Performance 75 ..and More! 76. and More! 77. and More! 78. and More! 79. and More! 80. and More! 81. and More! 82. and More! 83. and More! 84 .

Helps Manage Diabetes 85 .and More! 86 .Relieves Migraines 87 .Helps Relieve Constipation 88 ..and More! 89 .Reduces Risk of Heart Disease 90 ..and More! 91 .Prevents Premature Aging 92 .Slows Down the Effects of Aging 93 ..and More! 94. and More 95. and more 96. and more 97.

Buying and Storing

Look for firm, fragrant quinces, and be sure to choose ones that are heavy for their size. When you get them home, keep them in a cool place away from light. To ripen fruit quickly (you want it fragrant and soft but not mushy), put unripe fruit in a paper bag and check it every day. 

For best flavor and texture, use quinces within two weeks after you buy them. And don’t discard that tough outer skin: The fuzzy coat actually adds a pleasing texture to pie filling! Just peel off as much as you can before cooking. 

If you find yourself with too many quinces, try making preserves or jam—the recipes here will give you some ideas. Or just toss 'em into your next batch of applesauce; they're great at adding color and pectin to help thicken things up. In other words, save those peels! They add fiber and vitamin C to pies and jams, plus extra tartness. 

There's no need to worry about excess quinces: You can turn them into all sorts of different goodies like this one, which is savory-sweet and has an Asian twist on it thanks to ginger, cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon sticks, coriander seeds, star anise pods, cloves and fennel seeds. 

If you're not a fan of those spices, feel free to leave them out—or add your own favorites instead! This recipe also uses brown sugar for sweetness but you could easily swap in white sugar if that's what you have on hand. 

And don't be afraid to play around with adding other fruit as well—apples or pears would be especially delicious in here! The possibilities are endless! If you're looking for a dessert option that'll impress at your next dinner party, try these quince tarts . 

They're simple enough for everyday but special enough for company! Use quinces in jams, jellies and preserves: While you can certainly use apples or pears for jam making , quinces give jams a gorgeous yellow color that's hard to resist. 

That said, they do take longer than most fruits to cook down so plan ahead when making jam with them. To make things easier, start by peeling (and slicing) your unpeeled fruit before cooking it down; once cooked through.

Remove from heat and let cool before pureeing (this prevents any further cooking). Then mix everything together and bring back up to a boil before pouring into jars.

Cooking Methods

When cooking with quince, there are several things to keep in mind. First and foremost, it's important to slice off both ends before cutting your quince into pieces for cooking. If you don't do so first, it's likely that a lot of your fruit will end up on your cutting board instead of in your pot or pan. 

This makes sense; after all, as you cut into a quince, there's very little resistance until you get down to its core -- then things get a bit tougher! Because of its texture and firmness (more on that below), quince is best suited for recipes where long cooking time isn't required. 

The one exception to that rule would be poaching, which can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour. However, if you're looking for something more substantial than a side dish, consider braising or roasting your quince instead. 

Both methods have their advantages: Braising requires less prep work but takes longer while roasting can be done quickly but requires more hands-on attention throughout cooking time. 

Either way, make sure to use a pan large enough so that your fruit doesn't touch any part of it during cooking. Doing so may cause discoloration and even burning depending on how hot your oven gets. 

Also, avoid using aluminum pans when cooking with quince. They'll react negatively with certain components in the fruit and impart a metallic taste to your food. 

Lastly, be aware that once cooked, quince has a tendency to fall apart easily -- especially when mixed with other ingredients like sugar or butter. 

As such, it's recommended that you cook them separately and add them at the last minute just before serving. That way, they retain their shape and don't turn into mush. Speaking of mush.

You probably won't want to eat quince raw unless you really enjoy bitter flavors. It's not terrible, but compared to other fruits like apples or pears, quince tends to be a bit more intense and acidic. 

Its flesh is also pretty dense due to high levels of cellulose and pectin, making it difficult for our bodies to break down properly without significant chewing effort on our part. 

In fact, most people need at least 10 chews per bite when eating raw quince! That said, if you do find yourself in possession of some quince that needs to be eaten before it goes bad, there are still ways to prepare them so that they're easier to digest. 

Just remember: You'll want to cook them first before doing anything else -- just as you would do with apples or pears. Once cooked, however.

Your options are virtually limitless! As mentioned above, its firm texture makes quince ideal for long-cooking recipes such as braising and roasting. If those aren't your cup of tea (or if you simply don't have time), try poaching instead.

Recipes for Every Taste

One of quince’s most appealing qualities is its versatility. The fruit can be paired with savory or sweet ingredients, and it can be cooked in both sweet and savory ways. 

Despite quince’s popularity, many consumers may not know what to do when they get their hands on one for the first time. Here are a few recipes for every tastetaste -Quince sorbet: Mix one pound (1 lb) of sugar, 1 cup (8 oz) water, 3 cups peeled and diced quince. 

Bring to a boil over medium heat then simmer for about 15 minutes until translucent and soft. Purée the mixture with 2 cups milk or cream over low heat until smooth then freeze according to your ice cream maker instructions. Add additional flavorings such as lemon juice or Grand Marnier if desired. 

Just-ripe quince recipe: Cut 4-5 pieces of just-ripe quince into 1/2 inch cubes and place them in a nonstick skillet with 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon sugar.

Add cinnamon sticks if desired, cover and cook over low heat for 5-10 minutes stirring occasionally so that all sides soften evenly. Remove from heat and serve hot with custard or whipped cream for dessert. 

If you like to make jam, you will find that just-ripe quince has a light aroma and is sweeter than other varieties. Simply mix in some fresh lemon juice and any additional flavors such as ginger or cloves before adding sugar. 

Put it into sterilized jars and seal them well before placing them in boiling water for 10 minutes. Cool completely before storing in a cool dark location for up to 12 months. 

Make sure that the final product weighs more than 8 ounces (8 oz) per jar and fill each jar up to this level. 

Heat the jars back up to a boil for at least 30 seconds after filling. Place lids and bands on tightly, but don't overtighten, and let them sit for 24 hours without moving before storing.