A special local treat from Guemes Island, quince tastes like an apple flavored with pineapple and orange, and should be cooked before enjoying. You can substitute it in any recipe with cooked pears or apples: think pies, chutney, meat stews, or sauce! Read on to discover 10 ways to enjoy quince, from preserve and paste to cakes and clafoutis!

Quince Paste

Quince paste, also known as membrillo in Spain, is a classic tangy-sweet fruit preserve often served with salty manchego cheese.

In this recipe, quince is peeled, chopped, boiled until mushy, and pureed before being spread into a pan for baking and drying.

Once ready, simply slice it and serve is alongside your favorite charcuterie items!

Find the full recipe at The Spruce Eats

Poached Quince Clafoutis

If you’ve never had it before, clafoutis is something of a cross between a pancake, cobbler, and custard. That all to say its fluffy, buttery, and a decadent way to celebrate the all-too-short quince season!

In this recipe, quince is sliced and poached before being layered in the bottom of a baking dish and topped with a clafoutis batter of butter, flour, ground almonds, sugar, and eggs.

Serve this as an autumnal dessert, and go a la mode with Co-op vanilla ice cream!

Find the recipe at Everyday Gourmet

Caramel Upside-Down Quince Cake

This cinnamon-flavored cake is a unique twist on pineapple upside-down cake. It is packed with fruity quince and saucy caramel!

Pineapple rum and apple sauce give this cake a tropical flavor that’s balanced with the classic fall flavors of caramel, brown sugar, and cinnamon.

Enjoy this unique cake at your next family gathering for an unforgettable dessert.

Find the recipe at Hilda’s Kitchen Blog

poached quince recipe — Photo Courtesy of A Beautiful Plate

Simple Poached Quince

Poached fruit is one of the best ways to enjoy the bounty of the season, whether it’s apples, pears, peaches, or, in this case, quince!

Calling for just quince, honey, sugar, clove, cinnamon, lemon peel, and ginger root, this recipe is full of fall flavors.

Enjoy poached quince over waffles, yogurt, ice cream, or oatmeal. And don’t toss out that poaching liquid! Use it to poach more fruit or bottle the liquid gold as a syrup for cocktails or mocktails.

Find the recipe at A Beautiful Plate

Baked Quince

Certainly the simplest way to enjoy quince, this recipe calls for just quince, lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, and butter. And the steps are just as easy!

Quince is cut in half and cored before being topped with a pad of butter and sprinkled with cinnamon and butter.

Top with a scoop of ice cream for extra decadence!

Find the full receipt at In The Kitchen With Matt

Quince Preserves

If you like a jam with some texture to it, you’ll love these quince preserves from Hilda’s Kitchen Blog!

This water bath canning recipe calls for just a few simple ingredients and results in around five 8oz jars that can be gifted or stored away for up to a year.

Serve your preserves on a slice of Co-op toast or as a unique topping for your morning yogurt!

Find the full recipe at Hilda’s Kitchen Blog