Is quince the most mysterious fruit of winter? The fragrant, bulbous fruit is a curious specimen in the greengrocer, with a yellow exterior; tough, floury insides and a slightly citrus flavour. But give it some slow cooking, a gentle simmer in your saucepan, and something magical happens – as these recipes prove.
An added bonus of cooking with quince is that, similar to lots of other fruits, it contains pectin. This is a naturally occurring thickener that sets and stabilises fruit when it’s heated with sugar. So, if you’re making quince paste, you can leave gelatine on the shelf.
But this strange fruit is much more versatile than many people realise. As well as paste for your cheese boards, and tasty desserts, you can add it to your one-pot duck dinners, tagine chicken or roasted pork for a hint of tangy sweetness. So whatever you’re in the mood for, here are our 37 favourite quince recipes to try this winter.
This apple tart is simple to make and drizzled with a delicious syrup made with sherry, quince paste and vanilla.
Chef Jaclyn Koludrovic calls this her “ultimate go-to sweet recipe in winter”, full of comfort and vibrant, citrusy flavour.
An ideal afternoon tea or after-dinner drink and dessert combination.
This recipe takes time, but is absolutely worth it for the vibrant colours and flavours that really hero the fruit.
If you like the classic combination of poached fruit and ice cream, this is a more sophisticated version to make.
This French dessert recipe has a lightness that’s just right for afternoon tea or dessert after a hearty winter meal.
Hot, crispy and deliciously salty, these bar snacks are sure to become a favourite when you’re entertaining. Plus, they only take around 40 minutes to make.
This recipe is from Hobart chef Alex Jovanovich when he worked at Piccolo. It was requested after a Gourmet Traveller reader said it was “the best recipe in the world”, and now you can find out why.
This recipe is ideal when you want to impress guests by making everything yourself. You could also double the recipe for extra crackers if you’re expecting a crowd.
Sometimes a combination of ingredients creates a pleasant surprise, as this recipe from pastry chef Yu-Ching Lee proves.
Membrillo is the Spanish version of quince paste than is typically lighter than most Australian versions and perfect with cheese or as a finishing sauce for meat.
Classic flavours are combined in a new way here, with an impressive, cheesy soufflé that’s balanced by slow-poached, spiced quince.
Walnut pudding with quince and fennel pollen
(Credits: Adam Gibson)This walnut pudding is a favourite of chef Analiese Gregory, and goes well with just about any autumn or winter fruit.
The macadamia ice-cream in this recipe is in perfect harmony with the citrus flavours of the fruit, making it one very comforting dessert on a winters’ night.
Sticky, delicious Latin American pastries you can make with your own paste, or a store-bought version.
Quince and chocolate pudding
(Credits: Prue Ruscoe)This flavour combination is so good it could quickly become your go-to pudding recipe.
Cutler & Co’s roasted duck breast with spiced quince, anise crumb and mead sauce
(Credits: Mark Roper)A Cutler & Co favourite from chef Andrew McConnell, this recipe is sure to impress all your guests.
These pork cutlets have just the right amount of sweetness, perfectly balanced with a light celeriac potato mash.
A medley of flavours and textures that’s perfect for spicing up winter dinners.
This recipe brings classic flavours of autumn together in a tart that looks as good as it tastes.
Quince and marzipan crumble
(Credits: William Meppem)This crumble recipe from Curtis Stone is packed with colour, flavour and texture that’s sure to delight.
This recipe has all the ingredients you need to warm up during winter.
Quince and brown butter pastry tart
(Credits: William Meppem)Beautifully poached quince is encased in a nutty, buttery pastry in this French-inspired dessert.
A classic dessert that’s always satisfying served with heavy cream or vanilla ice-cream.
This sweet, simple dessert is also one of the quickest quince recipes in our collection, taking around 30 minutes to make.
Malone lamb racks with potatoes and quince in cider vinegar
(Credits: John Laurie)This recipe turns quince into a pickle that balances the richness of the lamb. Any extra pickle can also be stored in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
While there’s no doubt this dessert sounds and looks impressive, it actually takes just 45 minutes to make.
These fritters combine two classic autumn and winter fruits into deep-fried morsels of comfort that are perfect with a cup of tea.
Quince, pecan and crème caramel trifle with Gretchen’s honey cream
(Credits: Ben Dearnley)This trifle makes for an impressive centrepiece at any dinner party, and is a delight to eat.
A classic quince recipe you can use to create plenty of other desserts on this list – and the poached fruit can be refrigerated for about a month.
This Spanish chicken recipe is tasty and quick to make, taking around 30 minutes to put on the table.
This one-pot recipe makes for a hearty dinner that can add variety to your usual dinner repertoire.
This recipe gives you a choice of making everything yourself, or using a store-bought fruit loaf. Either way, it’s comfort on a plate.
For more warming recipes, try one of our magical winter recipes that are both aromatic and nourishing.
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