Q is for Quince: Yummy Fruits A-Z

(Quince trees grow 16 to 26 feet.
Fruit is 3 to 5 inches long)

The quince tree is native to Turkey and Iran, but it has been known to grow as far north as Scotland. It does well on rocky slopes and in the woodlands. 

Cultivation of quince began ages ago. The fruit mentioned in the "Song of Songs" of the Bible's old testament may have been quince. Ancient Greeks were known to use quince as well, for ritual offerings at weddings. In ancient Rome, a Roman cookbook had recipes for stewing quince with honey, and also with leeks.

Quince has been grown elsewhere around the world, but the bulk is grown today in Turkey, China, Uzbekistan, Morocco, Iran and Argentina. The fruit is hard and sour when raw, so roasting, baking, or stewing it is necessary. But once cooked, quince makes excellent jams, jellies, sauces and puddings. It also makes a good dessert wine and liqueur. 

The nutritional claims for quince are its high fiber content (helpful in losing weight); anti-oxidant and anti-viral properties; reduced cancer risk; and protection against gastric ulcers, high cholesterol, poor digestion, heart disease, and high blood pressure. 

Quince Recipe

"Basic Quince Jelly"

6 pounds quinces
granulated white sugar (see below)

--Quarter quinces and remove cores. Place in large pot and add enough water to cover. Bring to boil and reduce heat. Simmer for about 45 minutes, until fruit is tender. 
--Strain liquid (with jelly bag or cheese cloth) into large bowl. Squeeze out as much liquid as you can. Measure liquid and add 3/4 cup sugar for each cup of liquid. 
--Bring mixture to boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring often until sugar is dissolved. Reduce heat and simmer about 20 minutes. (If using a candy thermometer, it should read 220 degrees F). Remove from heat. Skim surface thoroughly. 
--Ladle into hot, sterilized 6-ounce jelly jars and seal (use preferred canning method for this step). Yield: 8-10 (6 oz) jars. 
[Now wrap with ribbons and give away as gifts!]


Quince Books

--Simply Quince 
by Barbara Ghazarian (2009) (nonfiction)


--Lawyer Quince: Odd Craft (Part 5) 
by W.W. Jacobs (2014)



--Quince Duncan: Writing Afro-Costa Rican and Caribbean Identity              
by Dr. Dorothy E. Mosby (2014)






Quince Movie

--The Quince Tree Sun (1992)
(An artist tries to paint a quince tree, a strange 
need that resurfaces year after year).




Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quince
http://www.naturalfoodbenefits.com/display.asp?CAT=1&ID=73

Sharon M. Himsl

Writer/Author. Blogging since 2011. 
Published with Evernight Teen: 
~~The Shells of Mersing