Quince Paste

Instructions

1. Step 1

   Gather the ingredients.

2. Step 2

   Wash and peel quinces, reserving peels. Core quinces, adding cores to reserved peels.

3. Step 3

   Chop remaining quince into approximately 2-inch chunks.

4. Step 4

   Tie peels and cores up in cheesecloth or in a clean muslin bag.

5. Step 5

   Put chunks of quince and bundle of peels and cores into a large pot. Add water to cover by approximately 1 inch. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until quince chunks are mushy.

6. Step 6

   Remove and discard bundle of peels and cores. Strain remaining cooked quince through a very fine-meshed strainer or a double layer of cheesecloth set in a colander (you can use liquid that strains out to make quince jelly). Leave quince to strain for 2 hours.

7. Step 7

   Puree strained quince mash in a food processor or run through a food mill.

8. Step 8

   Weigh or measure puree and then put it in a large pot. Add an equal amount by weight or volume of granulated sugar.

9. Step 9

   Cook over low heat until very thick, approximately 1 1/2 hours. Stir constantly at first to dissolve sugar, frequently after that. When it is done, quince paste will stick to a wooden spoon, and if you drag spoon over bottom of the pot, it will leave a trail that does not fill in immediately. Be careful at the end of the cooking time to stir often and not let it burn.

10. Step 10

    Lightly grease a 9-inch baking dish. Spread quince paste in dish, smoothing it out with the back of a spoon. It should be about 1 1/2 inches thick. Let paste cool in baking dish.

11. Step 11

    Dry paste in your oven at the lowest setting, no higher than 125 F. If your oven doesn't go this low, use lowest setting and prop the door open with a dishtowel or the handle of a wooden spoon. NOTE: Do not prop open the door of your oven if you use a gas or propane oven. Instead, cook the quince paste longer in the pan, until it is very thick and a darker pink color. Spread the paste in the greased baking dish and let it dry overnight at room temperature.

12. Step 12

    Dry quince paste for 8 hours or overnight. The surface should be glossy and not sticky to the touch. Put baking dish of quince paste into refrigerator for 4 hours.

13. Step 13

    Run a knife around edges of paste. Invert quince paste onto a plate. Slice as desired.