If you’ve ever travelled to Portugal, you may have had the opportunity to try quince paste. This unique fruit paste is a staple in Portuguese cuisine and can be used in a variety of recipes.
Quince paste is made from quinces, which are a type of fruit that is related to apples and pears. The quince fruit is dried and then ground into a powder, which is then mixed with sugar and cooked until it forms a thick paste. It has a sweet-tart flavor and can be eaten on its own or used as an ingredient in other dishes.
It is often used in pastries such as quince tart, quince crostata, quince jam tarts, quince pies and quiche Lorraine.
If you’re thinking about trying a new fruity ingredient in your cooking, quince paste is a tasty option that’s sure to keep people guessing what it is.
What is quince paste?
Quince paste is also called Membrillo, carne de membrillo, quince jelly, or quince cheese.
It is a type of fruit paste made from quince, sugar and sometimes spices such as cinnamon or cloves. It can be used in both sweet and savory dishes and adds an interesting flavor to anything it is added to.
Quince paste is made by drying quince, grinding it into a paste and then cooking the paste with sugar. It is usually firm enough to be cut into slices or cubes and can be served as is or added to other dishes.
Quince paste is often eaten as an appetizer, accompanied by cheese or cured meats like chorizo. This combination of quince paste and cheese is a classic Portuguese appetizer.
The versatility of quince paste makes it a great addition to any meal.
What is membrillo?
Membrillo is the Portuguese name for quince paste. This name comes from the quinces’ Latin name, Cydonia oblonga.
In traditional Portuguese cuisine, quince paste is served at breakfast as a spread on bread or toast. It also makes a great accompaniment to cheese and cured meats like chorizo.
What is quince?
Quince is a fruit that is related to apples and pears. It has a tart flavor, which mellows out when cooked with sugar. Quince can be eaten raw or cooked into quince paste or quince jam.
Quinces are native to the Mediterranean region but have been grown in Portugal since the Middle Ages. Quinces have a long shelf life and often quince paste is made at the end of the quince season to preserve it for later use.
Quinces are an integral part of Portuguese and Spanish cuisine and quince paste is a popular ingredient in recipes such as quiche Lorraine, quince tart, quince crostata and quince jam tarts.
What does quince paste taste like?
Quince paste has a slightly tart, sweet flavor with notes of apple and pear. It is thick and sticky like jelly but not as sweet.
The quince fruit has an astringent and slightly sour flavor and the jelly/paste form preserves this flavor very well.
What does quince paste look like?
Quince paste is usually a deep, reddish-brown color and has a thick, spreadable consistency. It can be cut into slices or cubes and served as an appetizer with cheese or cured meats like chorizo.
When quince paste is cooked for longer periods of time it becomes caramelized and will darken in color.
What is quince paste used for?
Quince paste has been popular since ancient times and is still widely used in Portugal and Spain.
Many people aren’t sure how to use quince paste, but there are several creative and delicious ways to incorporate it into your recipes.
It can be used as a topping for cakes and pastries, or as part of savory dishes like quiche or risotto. Quince paste can also be spread on toast with cheese, or even added to smoothies or yogurt for an extra layer of sweetness.
The unique flavor quince paste adds to dishes makes it a great secret ingredient for all types of meals, from breakfast to desserts, and beyond.
You can also add quince jelly to cheese boards or use it to make quince jelly-filled pastries.
If you’re looking for something unexpected but delicious to add to your recipes, try quince paste! It’s sure to take your culinary creations to the next level.
It can also be used as a condiment or served with cheese or meat dishes. Quince paste adds an interesting sweetness to savory recipes like quiche or risotto.
What’s the origin of quince paste?
The Portuguese have been making quince paste since medieval times, and it is still a very popular ingredient in Portugal and Spain today.
It was also used in ancient Rome as part of religious ceremonies.
The paste was made from the quince fruit’s pulp and it was sliced and served to guests during festivals and celebrations.
Quince paste has been around for centuries, but it’s still largely unknown outside of Portuguese and Spanish cuisine.
Today quince paste is enjoyed all around the world as an interesting addition to sweet and savory dishes alike.
Quince paste vs marmalade
Quince paste and marmalade are both made with quinces but they have some key differences.
Marmalade is a preserve that contains pieces of quince fruit as well as sugar, while quince paste only contains quinces and sugar.
Quince paste has a thick consistency, similar to jam or jelly, while marmalade is often runnier.
Quince paste also has a sweeter flavor than marmalade, as it is cooked for longer periods of time and the quinces become caramelized.
Overall quince paste has a heartier, more complex flavor that’s perfect for adding depth to sweet and savory dishes.
Quince paste vs guava paste
First, guava paste is healthier. Compared to the quince fruit, guava is lower in sugars and higher in lipids, protein, and dietary fiber.
Guava is nutritionally superior to quince because it has about ten times as many vitamins and around two times as many minerals.
So, when it comes to paste, guava paste has more nutritional value than quince paste.
The taste of guava paste is also slightly different from quince paste, as it can be a bit sweeter and less tart.
Overall quince paste still makes for a great addition to dishes but if health is your priority go for guava paste!
Final thoughts
Quince paste is a delicious and versatile fruit paste that can be used in sweet or savory dishes. It adds an interesting flavor to anything it is added to and makes for a unique secret ingredient you can use to take your recipes up a notch.
Whether you’re looking for something sweet like quince tart, quince crostata, quince jam tarts or quince pies, or something savory like quiche Lorraine, quince paste is the perfect addition. Give it a try and see how it can transform your recipes!