Quince is a member of the apple and pear family, but its flesh is too tart to eat raw. Quince jam is typically loaded with sugar, however dates make a nutritious and delicious substitute.
Ingredients:
2 large quince
6 cardamom pods
1 cinnamon stick
1 cup pitted dates
Method:
Chop quince roughly and place in a large saucepan. Cover with water, bring to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer until quince is tender – about 30 minutes.
Remove cooked quince from the saucepan, retaining spices and cooking liquid. Cut away seeds and rough patches around the core. Transfer to a food processor and blend with 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid and the dates until smooth.
Add reserved spices and simmer over low heat for 45 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally. If you have a Thermomix, cook at 80°C on speed 2 for 45 minutes. Remove spices and transfer to glass jars for storage. Keep in the fridge.
P.S. You can still enjoy quince jam if you’re not a bread eater – try spreading it on sweet potato slices, cooked in a sandwich press until tender and starting to brown!
