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Greek-Quince-Paste-Recipe
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Quince Paste (Kydonopasto)

Greek Quince Paste (Kydonopatso) is a firm, jelly-like candy, fruity and delicious with a fragrant flavor and beautiful amber color.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 45 minutes
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Keyword: fruit
Servings: 28 pieces
Calories: 173kcal

Ingredients

  • 1.5 kg (3.3 pounds) quince flesh rinsed, peeled and scooped
  • 1 kg (2.2 pounds) sugar
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 liter (4 cups) water
  • olive oil

OPTIONAL:

  • 3 tablespoons grape or pomegranate molasses
  • 1 sprig lemon geranium
  • blanched almonds
  • ground almonds
  • cinnamon sugar (1 teaspoon ground cinnamon mixed with 4 tablespoons sugar)

Instructions

  • For instructions on how to prepare quince, please see the text above.
  • Cut quince into 3 cm pieces and place in a cooking pot along with the 4 cups of water, the cinnamon stick, and lemon geranium if using.
  • Simmer covered over moderate heat until the fruit feels soft and tender when you run a knife through it.
  • Drain the water from the pot (you can use it in jellies and jams). Remove the cinnamon stick and lemon geranium.
  • Pulse the quince with an immersion blender. Or use a high-speed blender.
  • Add the sugar to the cooking pot with the cooked quince. Add also the grape or pomegranate molasses, if using.
  • Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon over medium to medium-low heat for about an hour. It takes time to thicken and turn into a paste. The temperature should read 210°C / 410°F for a candied, jelly-like texture. The longer you cook from there, the harder and more candy-like it will become. Test by adding a small drop with a teaspoon onto a cool plate so you can see how firm it becomes as it cools.
  • Brush a 9 x 13-inch (23 x 33 cm) pan with olive oil. Transfer the quince paste and smooth it with a spoon.
  • Cut and divide into pieces. Press a blanched almond in the middle for decoration (optional).
  • Cool the quince paste for a couple of hours at room temperature until set and firm. Don't cover the pan, let it air-dry. If it's not as firm as desired, you can bake it at 100°C / 210°F until firm.
  • Once cooled, you can decorate it with ground almonds or cinnamon sugar. Take each piece and roll it into the desired coating.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 173kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 0.2g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 4mg | Potassium: 107mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 22IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 9mg | Iron: 0.4mg