Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs fresh quince (approx. 4-5 medium), scrubbed, cored, and coarsely grated
  • 3 cups filtered water
  • 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1.5 cups high-quality honey
  • 1 cup organic cane sugar
  • 1 whole cinnamon stick
  • 4 whole cloves

Instructions:

  1. Scrub the fruit. Remove the grey fuzz from the quince skin under cool water. Note: The fuzz can taste bitter if left on.
  2. Grate the quince. Core the fruit and grate it coarsely until you have a pile of uniform strands.
  3. Combine with water. Place the grated quince and 3 cups of filtered water in a heavy pot.
  4. Initial simmer. Cook over medium heat for 15 minutes until the fruit softens and looks translucent.
  5. Add sweeteners. Stir in 1.5 cups of honey, 1 cup of sugar, and 1/4 cup of lemon juice.
  6. Infuse spices. Drop in the cinnamon stick and cloves until the aroma fills the room.
  7. Reduce the heat. Simmer on low for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
  8. Check the color. Watch for the transition from yellow to a deep, glowing ruby red.
  9. Test the set. Drop a spoonful on a cold plate; it should wrinkle when pushed with a finger.
  10. Jar the preserves. Remove the whole spices and ladle the hot mixture into clean jars.