QUINCES

I have spent the weekend chopping , peeling and cooking quinces . My tree was a gift from my son Paul 3 years ago . Last year the fruit was sparce but this year the quince fruit was in abundance . Quinces look like oversized pears and are ripe for harvesting in late summer . Quince have a tart flavour and are not eaten raw , but make for great preserves , jellies and desserts when cooked with sugar . Quince is rich in pectin and can be made into a beautiful deep pink jelly . This year I have prepared quince pies , spiced quince and quince jelly . Recipes following .