A real treat: simply dry the quince yourself

A real treat: simply dry the quince yourself

Ingredients:

  • 10-12 quinces (medium size)
  • 1 liter of water
  • 40 grams honey syrup (variant: pear syrup)

Easy preparation:

Proceed in the same way as when boiling the fruit. The fruits are rubbed with a soft, dry cloth. After washing, peel, quarter and core these.

also read

  • Practical tips on when to harvest the versatile quince
  • Storing quinces made easy: you should pay attention to this
  • Boiling down quinces: practical tips for sweet success

Note:

Care should be taken with the seeds, they should not break.

In the next step, cut the quinces into thick columns (about 1 centimeter). Very ripe quinces can be recognized by their soft consistency. These are dried directly in their raw state.

Unripe quinces

Slightly harder specimens (in crevices) need a short journey through a honey bath before drying. Boil the fruits in a brew of water and honey syrup for about 4 to 5 minutes.

Drying process

Spread the fruit pieces in one layer on a baking rack. The quinces dry for about 8 to 24 hours at around 40 to 50 degrees Celsius. During this time, the gaps must be checked at regular intervals.

If drying takes place on different levels at the same time, replace the grids on this occasion as well.

Finished quinces should not be mushy, but rather have an elastic and soft consistency. Constant control at the touch of a finger is recommended. A test piece can also be cut open. If there is still a thin, light stripe inside the column, the end will soon be near.

After the oven ...

When the fruit pieces have finally reached the desired state, let them cool down directly on the wire racks. You then rest for about 48 hours between two cotton or linen towels. Room temperature (15 to 20 degrees Celsius) is recommended for this purpose.

These delicacies keep hermetically sealed until after Christmas. Check the quinces regularly during the first few weeks. In individual cases there may be rewetting and there is a slight risk of mold.

If you notice abnormal moisture, it is possible to continue drying at any time.

Tips & Tricks

Quinces are also suitable for making juices, jams and other delicacies.

FT

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