Raw quinces are not edible. Nevertheless, they can be dried in this state. The pomaceous fruit offers a tasty variety throughout the winter. Find out how their vitamin bombs last.
Ingredients:
- 10-12 quinces (medium size)
- 1 liter of water
- 40 grams of honey syrup (variant: pear syrup)
Easy preparation:
Proceed in the same way as when preserving the fruit. The fruits are rubbed with a soft and dry cloth. After washing, peel, quarter and core them.
Notice:
Attention should be paid to the seed kernels, 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 texture. These are dried directly in the raw state.
Unripe quinces
Slightly harder specimens (in crevices) require a short trip through a honey bath before drying. Boil the fruits in a broth of water and honey syrup for about 4 to 5 minutes.
drying process
Distribute the pieces of fruit in a single layer on a baking grid. At around 40 to 50 degrees Celsius, the quinces dry for around 8 to 24 hours. During this time, the gaps must be checked at regular intervals.
If you are drying on different levels at the same time, also exchange the grids on this occasion.
Finished quinces should not be mushy, but have an elastic and soft consistency. A constant control by finger pressure is recommended. A test piece can also be cut open. If there is still a thin light stripe inside the gap, the end is near.
After the oven…
When the pieces of fruit have finally reached the desired state, let them cool directly on the grids. Then they rest for about 48 hours between two towels made of cotton or linen. Room temperature (15 to 20 degrees Celsius) is recommended for this purpose.
These delicacies keep airtight until after Christmas. Check the quinces regularly during the first few weeks. In individual cases, rewetting can occur and there is a slight risk of mold.
If you observe noticeable moisture, it is possible to continue the dehydration at any time.
tips and tricks
Quinces are also suitable for making juices, jam and other delicacies.
FT
The garden journal freshness ABC
How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?
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