A Family Tradition and a Recipe for Quince Honey
In the past couple of years, we’ve had the honor of hosting Thanksgiving for my father’s side of the family, and crazy as it may seem, I love it. The planning, cooking, decorating…but most of all, getting to fellowship with some of my favorite people. As we prepare, it always brings back fond memories of helping my Great Aunts – Mary and Elizabeth set up – because for years, that’s where we’d gather. As a young girl, I loved walking out our farm lane to their home the week before to help them set out their serving bowls, each with a little note on what it would hold.
On the first year we hosted, Aunt Joanne brought some of her quince honey. It disappeared so quickly upon its opening, that I immediately asked if she’d share her recipe! The kids absolutely loved it and I was intrigued by the use of quince – something you don’t see every day. Although she said yes, I’m only now getting around to sharing it with you!
Quince Honey
Her version is based on one in the Mennonite Cookbook — by Mrs. M. H. Godshall & Mrs. Harvey L. Alderfer
2 cups grated quince (It may take 2 large ones or up to 5 small ones – Discard gritty parts)
2 cups grated apples (It may take up to 6 apples, depending on size. I like to use Stayman Winesap.)
1 pint water
4 lbs. sugar (I use less sugar. I have used 2 lbs. and 3 lbs. Both seem to work okay. Most recently I used the 2 lbs. or 4 1/2 cups. It may not thicken as much but then it’s more like honey.)
Wash and pare quinces and apples. Core and cut into quarters. Grate or grind both fruits and mix together.
Add water to fruit and bring to a boil. Add sugar gradually and stir until all is dissolved. Cook slowly (on Medium to Medium Low) until fruit is clear and mixture is thick (about 20 minutes or maybe 25).
Ladle into hot jars (8oz or smaller) and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
Yield: about 6-8 8oz jars
I know that door in picture.
Yes! 🙂 It’s one of my favorites! Many good memories surround that door!
I’ve never tasted Quince, will have to try this.
Sounds wonderful to me. I fell in love with quince as a teen when a friend shared a dozen large quinces with my mother. Mom grew up in Buck County PA the largest Amish enclave in the US. She carefully poached 2, made quince/apple Honey, a pie. And a wrapped crust around halves of quince seasoned with ginger slices-vanilla bean-sugar and sealed shut and baked till soft and pink inside with crisp crust about like a good pie crust. All were wonderful.
I never see them in a store here but I’ve ordered 2 of the plants that grow the smaller fruits and I just received cutting for the plants that grow the large yellow fruits. It will be a long time till they bear fruit but I’ll tend them and look forward to fruit one day.