Auntie Loulla (Loulla Astin) is my mother’s sister and the award winning restaurateur of the famous Kosmos Greek Taverna in Manchester. Her career has seen her cook on TV many times, including presenting her own cookery series on SKY and she was even invited to meet The Queen at Buckingham Palace.
Here she shares her fabulous Quince Jelly recipe. My husband Peter took the photo, isn’t it stunning?!
Quinces are the most beautiful of all fruits with a strong aromatic perfume. The ancient Greeks considered quinces to be the symbol of fertility and dedicated them to the goddess of love.
The fruit was regarded as the symbol of Love and Happiness, and there was the bridal custom of a quince being shared by a married pair. Quinces sent as presents, or shared, were tokens of love.
The custom was handed down, and throughout the Middle Ages quinces were used at every wedding feast. Many healing properties were attributed to the quince: in Medieval times, Europeans thought quinces aided digestion, and a syrup prepared from the fruit was used as addition to drinks in sickness.
The jelly is easy to make and is perfect on toast, scones or served with rich meats and game. It also makes excellent Christmas presents.
Ingredients:
2 kilo (4lb) quinces
1 kilo (2lb) sugar
The Juice of ½ a lemon
2 scented geranium leaves or 1 tbsp rosewater
Method:
Using a sharp knife, chop up the whole quinces. Put them in a large saucepan and pour over just enough water to cover the fruit.
Bring to the boil and simmer for 1 1/2 hours or until the flesh is very soft. Put into a jelly bag or a piece of muslin tied at four corners suspended over a large bowl.
Leave for several hours to drip slowly and do not force the pulp through by squeezing or the jelly will be cloudy. (By the way, do not discard the pulp, use for the following recipe, (quince paste below).
You should end up with 1.8 litres of juice.) Measure the liquid if you like, for every pint (570ml) of liquid, you will need 1 lb (450g) of sugar.
Pour the liquid into a preserving pan or a large stainless steel saucepan with the sugar, lemon juice and geranium leaves (if you are using them) or rosewater.
Bring it slowly to a simmer, stirring until the sugar dissolves then boil rapidly without stirring until setting point is reached which should take 15 minutes.
Skim off the foam from time to time. To test, place a saucepan in the fridge to get very cold and place a few drops of the jelly in-when cool it should wrinkle when you push it with your fingertips.
Cool slightly and then pour into hot sterilized jars, cover with waxed discs, seal and label.
Picture of Loulla and recipe © Loulla Astin.
Jam picture ©Peter Broadbent.
Buy my bestselling book in paperback or audio
Mumboss: The Honest Mum's Guide to Surviving and Thriving at Work and at Home
Available on Amazon or Audible
I love the sound of this recipe (and the history of the quince), but that photo, oh that photo. Stunning!
Sophie at Franglaise Cooking recently posted…BBQ marinated pork ribs
Beautiful isn’t it and the jam tastes amazing too!
Peter’s photo is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!
Thanks for another great linky Vicki
x
JuggleMum, Nadine Hill (@Businessmum) recently posted…My #KitchenTales Film Crew!
Pleasure darling, thanks for linking up x
I am ashamed to admit that I have a quince tree in my garden and have never done anything with the fruit 🙁 Time to remedy that I think. I love the photo btw.
Angela @ My Golden Pear recently posted…Strawberry and Chocolate Meringue
Hello! I have just added my frittata to the link up! Thank you for hosting!
Alida recently posted…Italian frittata with vegetables great for picnics
My pleasure, thanks for linking up!
looks and sounds amazing! Such a good idea to put in a fancy jar and give as gifts too x
Thanks Rebecca, would make fab gifts x
Oh wow I have never made jam but it’s top of my list once we moved to the country! Love this xx
Capture by Lucy recently posted…Haribo Ice Pops
Thanks Lucy, stunning isn’t it x
That looks stunning. I can remember my mum making crab apple jelly each year and straining it. I’ve linked up now
Yet Another Blogging Mummy!!! recently posted…Time in my kitchen making summer noodle salads
Oh fab thanks so much x
Sounds yummy, and that is a great pic. I love quince jelly.
Californian Mum in London recently posted…Lemon Drizzle Cake
Rather amazing isn’t it! Thanks x
Fabulous recipe and fabulous photo, your auntie and hubby are both very talented.
Julie’s Family Kitchen recently posted…My Kitchen Cookbooks: Nigellissima by Nigella Lawson
Thanks so much Julie, I will be sure to pass on your lovely words x
i have never tried quince anything before – i would like to try it x
jenny paulin recently posted…Strawberry & Elderflower Eton Mess Cake
You will love it Jenny, I’m sure x
Wow, that looks amazing! And, that photo that your husband took is absolutely stunning xx
Sara (@mumturnedmom) recently posted…Bake: Skylanders Marshmallow Pops
Thanks so much Sara, it is truly beautiful huh x
The first photo looks magical! I’ve not tried quince fruit yet, i hope it’s available in Dubai.
Linked up my Coconut Almond Chocolate Chip cookies
Abigail recently posted…Traveling with Tots: Activity Kits
Not sure about that Abigail, thanks for the kind words x
That quince jelly looks divine and that photograph is gorgeous! What a talented husband you have 🙂 I saw you several times at BritMums Live. You were one of the few people I recognised but I was too shy to go up and introduce myself to you!
Elizabeth recently posted…Five Minute BBQ Sauce
Oh Elizabeth please don’t feel shy with me. I would have LOVED to meet you. Thanks for the kind words x
Wow, it is absolutely stunning, and the photograph even more stunning,if not magical.
I’ve linked up too, hope you like my Strawberry Risotto, its savoury!
Thanks so much Shaheen!That sounds amazing!
I love quinces i used to love it even more sitting on Sydney harbour with a picnic great with a cheeseboard 🙂 I love the combo of savoury and sweet..
Claire recently posted…Savoury Muffins
Wow Claire, what a way to eat them, amazing x
Never before have I had a QUINCE – how unique! 🙂 We need to all start branching out more! ha!
GiGi Eats recently posted…Have Some Balls on Your Birthday!
@GiGi Eats ha yes!
Oh my you entire family seem to be completely amazing at cooking. I would be the size of a house if I lived with you! 🙂
Notmyyearoff recently posted…An Adventurous Day in Istanbul – Part 1: The Sultan Ahmed Mosque
That is a fantastic photo. This sounds like a lovely recipe. All linked up x
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins recently posted…Point + Shoot 21st – 22nd June 2014
Wow what a gorgeous photo! I have not tried Quince Jelly but this looks very tempting indeed!
I have linked up another of Oscar’s recipes! I do cook myself honest 🙂
Ali recently posted…U.K Holidays
How pretty does this look. I think my neighbour has a quince tree, wonder if they would notice the fruit going missing?
Alison recently posted…Summer Sun and Picnic Pie
Haha Alison, do it! Thanks x
wow, this photo looks amazing! I have not made jam since my teens, must start again! Sorry I haven’t got a recipe to link this week… it is the first time in forever! x
Mel recently posted…Silent Sunday – 22 June 2014
Oh Mel, you have a newborn, you can be let off sweetie and there is never ever pressure, lots of love to you x
Amazing photo. Love the idea of quince jelly too…. despite the gorgeous weather find my thoughts turning to Christmas and reckon this would go down a treat with some roast turkey. Love the way #TastyTuesdays is expanding my culinary horizons!
Ha yes Sarah although my Aunt and family do make quince jelly in the summer/end of summer but you are right, perfect for Christmas x
Looks so lush! Love photo too!
Merlinda Little (@pixiedusk) recently posted…Fountain of Youth
Thanks Merlinda x
What an amazing photograph! What a talented husband! Beautiful.
Vicki – The Free From Fairy recently posted…Gluten-free, Dairy-free Treacle and Apple Tart
Thanks Vicki, it is wonderful isn’t it x
Wow this is amazing. Sounds delicious and very fancy on the dinner table if you are hosting a party in that new fabulous dining room of yours! lol Thanks for hosting my lovely.
Jenny recently posted…Flaky Apple-Cinnamon Square Recipe
Thanks Jenny, really is stunning isn’t it!
Your husband’s photo is pure magic!
Phoebe @ Lou Messugo recently posted…French yogurt cake – the easiest cake in the world!
Thanks Phoebe, we need to get it framed for the kitchen!
wow wow wow! Pure luxury. I love that everyone would think you’ve put honey on the table; what a fantastic surprise with this flavor.
There’s a tree at my in-law’s summer house that I’m supposed to cut down at the end of the summer… Not before I’ve harvested all the quince & made this jam!
Steph @MisplacedBrit recently posted…Sweet Potato & Pork Dumplings – Sötpotatis Kroppkakor
Oh wow so pleased Steph, your comment has made me smile x
Gorgeous x
@Susan thanks lovely, it’s so yummy too x
I want to live with your family! Although I’d be the size of a house 🙂
@Iamintothis HAHAH-all the talking burns off the cals xx