If you’re looking for just the perfect, healthy, light fruit-forward dessert, try a warming fruit compote. What is a compote? It’s basically cooked fruit in a flavorful syrup, making it just so simple and wholesome. Especially when it’s light in sugar, filled with spices, and packed with apples and quince, such as this Spiced Apple Compote with Quince Fruit. This soothing apple compote has a touch of smoky whisky, maple syrup, spicy ginger, cinnamon and cardamom, naturally sweet raisins, and crunchy walnuts. It’s delicious served in a pretty dessert cup, or as a topping for ice cream (plant-based, of course!). And if you don’t have quince, substitute with pears!
Fruit from my sister’s quince tree in Washington state.
What is Quince Fruit?
This recipe is a great way to showcase quince, which is a fruit in the botanical family Rosaceae, related to apples and pears. Historically it’s been called a “golden apple,” but the quince is a lesser-known fruit, though a delicious one nonetheless! It appears throughout history in Greek poetry, the Roman cookbook Apicius, and in a painting by Vincent van Gogh. In the Balkans, quince trees are planted after a birth as a symbol of fertility, love, and life. The quince tree is native to Western Asia, but can be grown in a variety of climates. However, in order to produce quince fruit, sunlight is needed, and in cooler climates, the fruit may not ripen fully. Quince resembles a pear in appearance, with a lovely yellow-green color and rounded, lumpy shape. However, unlike pears, quince is often too sour and hard to eat when raw. Once cooked, as in this recipe, the quince becomes soft and sweet, with a beautiful fragrance.
Turn to quince and apples to create a simple, comforting Spiced Apple Compote with Quince Fruit (vegan and gluten-free), which is light in added sugars, and rich in sweet spices and flavor.
Place margarine, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, maple syrup (optional), apple juice, and whisky (optional) in a medium pot. Heat over medium until bubbly.
Add sliced quince, apple, and raisins, stir well and cover pot. Cook for 10 – 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples are tender yet firm.
Loading...