Chinese quince: useful properties, cooking recipes

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Many lovers of unusual, ornamental trees and shrubs have long been familiar with Chinese quince. She belongs to a well-known family and has several similar relatives. For example, common quince is widely used in cooking and is more common. But for some time now this variety has been isolated in a separate genus - pseudocedonia. Chinese quince has very good taste characteristics and is successfully used in cooking.

Description

What is so attractive about this plant? Chinese quince is a medium-sized tree that can reach a height of 2 meters. This plant always has a curved trunk and a very dense crown. Under the oval leaves with carved edges during flowering, pale pink petals of inflorescences are barely visible. But the main decoration of this tree is its fruits.

They are oval in shape and, with proper care, can reach 17 centimeters in length and weigh up to 1.5 kilograms. A feature of the fruit is a very strong, pleasant aroma. They contain a lot of essential oils. They are often used to give compote and jam a special aroma and taste.

Useful properties

In China, the fruits of this tree are called "fruits of longevity". Their use is very beneficial for the body. Chinese quince contains much more vitamin C than lemons and oranges. In addition, the fruits of the tree contain large amounts of vitamins A, B, E and nicotinic acid. There is no need to talk about the value of this fruit.

The fruits have a slightly sour taste and amazing aroma. They normalize the work of the spleen and stomach, soothe the liver, relax the muscles. They are successfully used to relieve spasms, pain in the lower back and joints, as well as swelling. The use of Chinese quince has a good effect on rheumatism, injuries, bruises, sprains, vitamin deficiency and poisoning. The fruits of the tree are a strong allergen, so they should be used with caution in case of allergies.

Application

Fruits are harvested as they ripen. Quince can be stored for a very long time if the necessary conditions are met. Fresh fruits are rarely used for food. They have a very rigid structure. Usually Chinese quince is boiled or baked. The fruits are also used in the preparation of jams, preserves, marmalade, jelly, compotes and juices.

Due to the aroma of fruits and a large amount of essential oils, they are added to sauces for meat dishes. This fruit is widely used in dishes. Central Asian and Caucasian cuisine. It looks good quince slices in dried and dried form. To do this, they are sprinkled with sugar and stored for some time at room temperature. After that, the slices are boiled in syrup and dried in the oven.

Quince in cosmetology

Chinese quince, whose properties are also used in cosmetology, has an antiseptic and drying effect. Masks from this plant nourish the skin, improving its quality. For their preparation, quince pulp is crushed and mixed with additional ingredients. It can be vegetable oils, starch, oatmeal, egg yolk or various cereals. Depending on the composition, such masks can be used for various skin types.

Subtleties of making jam

Chinese quince jam is simply amazing. It has a beautiful honey color and a delightful aroma. But even the preparation of such a seemingly easy delicacy has its own subtleties. First, it is the quality of the fruit, which must be ripe and intact. It is better to take slightly unripe fruits. Secondly, the capacity for cooking also plays an important role. It is better if it is a wide basin, copper or stainless steel.

The third condition is the obligatory removal of the foam that forms during cooking. And finally, this is the correct degree of readiness of the jam. If it is digested, then the taste of the dessert will become worse, and if not cooked, then it will not be stored for long. The syrup should not be too liquid (this is when a drop spreads over the surface of the saucer). If the syrup has become too dark, it means that it has been overcooked.

Chinese quince jam

Chinese quince is very juicy, so when cooking jam, you can not add water. For one kilogram of fruit, you need to take 1.2 kilograms of sugar. To make it easier to cut the quince into slices, it must first be poured with boiling water for 10 minutes, and then immediately transferred to cold water. We put the finished pieces in a suitable container and cover them with sugar. Fruit should give juice, this may take several hours. Only then can you start making jam. We put the container on the fire, making the fire moderate.

When the sugar dissolves, boil it for 10-15 minutes. Then turn off the fire and leave the jam to infuse for 10-12 hours. After that, put the container back on the fire. At this point, you can add 300-400 grams of peeled and sliced apples. This jam will only taste better. Now cook the delicacy until cooked, until the syrup thickens and the fruit becomes transparent. Pour the jam into jars and close it with lids. Quince, recipes for the winter from which are not difficult, are not only tasty, but also he althy.

Chinese quince compote

What to cook from Chinese quince, except for jam? Despite the fact that this fruit is not very popular, it is used in many dishes. Very often, housewives prepare compote from Chinese or simple quince. The drink is not only tasty, but also he althy. Quince contains many vitamins, partwhich remains after processing. The most time-consuming process in the preparation of compote is cutting. The fruits of this fruit are very hard, but if they are first poured with boiling water for 10 minutes, then it will become easier to cut them into slices.

For cooking, take a kilogram of quince, two liters of water and 400 grams of sugar. The fruits must be thoroughly washed (you can use a not very hard brush). Then we cut them into slices, removing the core. We do not remove the peel, as it will give the compote an unusual aroma. Then we put a pot of water on the fire and add sugar to it. When the syrup boils, put the quince into it. We cook it for about 7 minutes. Put quince slices into prepared jars and fill them with syrup. We close the containers with lids, cool and move to a cooler place. Chinese quince, the recipes of which will become your favorite, has an incredible aroma and taste that saturates every dish.

Apple and quince compote

These fruits are very well combined, forming a great tandem. The compote is tasty and rich. Let's take half a kilogram of apples, 400 grams of sugar, a liter of water and half a kilogram of Chinese quince. You can take other varieties, but this one is more fragrant. Cut the apples and quince into slices, removing the seeds. So that the fruits do not darken, they can be put in water with a little lemon juice or s alt. First, boil the quince slices in boiling water for about 10 minutes. Then we put it and apples in jars. Separately, we prepare a syrup from water and sugar and pour fruit over it. Banksclose with metal lids and after cooling, move to a cool place.

Meat with quince

This fruit is often used in beef, lamb and poultry dishes. Quince goes well with pork. For cooking, take 400 grams of meat, one onion, 400 grams of quince, vegetable oil, spices and s alt. First you need to cut the quince into slices and fry them on each side until golden brown in a pan with the addition of vegetable oil. At the same time, the fruits are s alted and peppered. Then put the prepared quince aside.

After that, cut the meat into portioned pieces and fry them in the same oil that remains from cooking quince. After that, we transfer the meat to the pan and add s alt and pepper to it. Put the fried onion on top and pour in a little broth, water or wine. The meat must be stewed until tender. Then quince, the necessary spices are added to it and left on the stove, making the fire minimal, for about 20 more minutes. Fragrant and appetizing meat with quince is ready.

Chicken baked with quince

Quince slices soaked in meat juice are not only tasty, but also beautiful. For cooking, you will need chicken (2 kilograms), two medium quinces, one lemon, coriander, s alt, pepper, some Provence herbs, a medium head of garlic and ground paprika. All spices and spices can be taken in arbitrary proportions.

Pour the prepared chicken carcass with lemon juice inside and out and leave for 10-15 minutes. After that we mix everythingspices and rub the meat well with them. Inside the carcass we lay the quince, which we first cut into slices, and a whole head of garlic. After that, we sew the belly of the chicken with threads and rub it with a mixture of sour cream (2 large spoons) and mustard (one small spoon). We put the carcass in a baking bag, not forgetting to pierce holes for the steam to escape, and send it to the oven.

The chicken will be ready in about an hour. Meat will be the main ingredient, and quince will be a pleasant addition. Holiday and everyday recipes for the winter with the addition of this fruit are an opportunity to surprise your loved ones with something new and extraordinarily tasty. And given the beneficial properties of quince, these culinary creations can also be called healing.