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Poached Quince

Simmered with honey and vanilla, poached quince turns soft, sweet, and beautifully aromatic, perfect for desserts or breakfast.
Course Breakfast, Condiment, Dessert
Cuisine Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Keyword fruit, quince, syrup
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Total Time 2 hours
Servings 5 servings
Calories 214kcal
Author Ksenia Prints

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 8 cups water
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 1 lemon cut in half
  • 1 vanilla bean split lengthwise
  • 3 medium quince
  • ½ cup yogurt vegan or Greek, optional, for serving

Instructions

  • In a large non-reactive saucepan, combine 8 cups water, ½ cup sugar, ¼ cup honey, lemon halves, and the split vanilla bean. Place over medium-high heat and stir gently until the sugar dissolves. This fragrant poaching liquid will infuse the quince with delicate sweetness and warmth.
  • While the liquid heats, work quickly to prepare quince:
    Peel the quince using a vegetable peeler to remove the tough outer skin.
    Cut each quince in half, then into quarters.
    Using a melon baller or sharp paring knife, remove the cores and any tough, fibrous bits.
  • Tip: Quince oxidizes quickly, so if you’re not adding them straight to the pot, place them in a bowl of water with a squeeze of lemon juice to prevent browning.
  • As soon as you cut the quince, carefully add the quince pieces to the poaching liquid to prevent discoloration.
  • Place a round of parchment paper with a small hole cut in the center directly over the fruit. This helps keep the quince submerged for even cooking.
    Reduce the heat to maintain a very gentle simmer, do not boil! Simmer until the quince turns soft and develops a rosy hue, about 1½ to 2 hours.
  • Tip: Cooking time will vary depending on the ripeness of the fruit. To check for doneness, insert a sharp paring knife, it should glide through easily.
  • Once fully cooked, remove the pot from heat and let the quince cool in the cooking liquid for at least 30 minutes. This extra time allows the flavors to deepen.
  • Optional: spoon yogurt at the bottom of a bowl. Place the quince over it.
  • Serve the quince warm or chilled, drizzled with the fragrant poaching syrup.

Nutrition

Calories: 214kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.4g | Saturated Fat: 0.02g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 26mg | Potassium: 306mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 59IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg