Cranberry-Quince Compote

cranberry-quince compote

No Thanksgiving dinner table is complete without cranberry sauce. Cranberries and turkeys are both native to North America, so it's fitting that they have come to represent the holidays not to mention the wonderful pairing they make. Many of us have become accustomed to the cranberry sauce that slides out of a can. It's really not that elegant. Cranberry sauce, compote, or chutney made from scratch is so much more special. For many years now I've been making one or the other. When guests who have only ever eaten canned sauce try my recipe, they swear never to back to canned again.

Fresh cranberries can be found everywhere in supermarkets this time of year. When making a sauce, like this compote, combine the berries with a variety of fresh or dried fruits, which helps to balance their tartness. I've tried all combinations: apples, pears, grapes, dates, and raisins. But the most unique combination I've created is with quince, a pear-like fruit originating from the East.

quince
Like a cross between an apple and a pear with a light yellow-green skin, the quince is an immensely fragrant and flavorful fruit. Quinces are a bit too astringent to eat raw and instead are used in cooking, baking, and jam-making. Quince can be found individually packaged in supermarkets during the fall and winter seasons. They are definitely worth picking up for this fall-fruit compote.

To prevent browning once cut, the quince, as with apples and pears, should be tossed in lemon or orange juice. For additional flavor, this recipe uses white wine and pomegranate molasses. If preferred, water can be substituted for the wine. Pomegranate syrup, such as grenadine, works well in place of the molasses. Or pomegranate juice can be added in the beginning instead of the wine or water. The compote can be made days in advance and will last for a week or two in the refrigerator.

Cranberry-Quince Compote

3 cups fresh cranberries
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 large quinces
1 orange, zested and juiced
1/4 cup pomegranate molasses
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg

Combine cranberries, sugar, and wine a saucepan set over medium-low heat. Cook until cranberries pop and mixture is syrupy, about 8 minutes.

Meanwhile, peel, core, and cut quince into cubes. Toss with orange juice and zest.

Add quince mixture, pomegranate molasses, cinnamon, and nutmeg to pan. Increase heat to medium-high and cook until quinces are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool completely. Serve at room temperature or chilled. Yield: 8 to 10 servings.

Comments

  1. First time ever, I bought fresh cranberries, and made them according your recipe. WoW! It was goobled-up so fast I wished I made a double dose! Thanks for the recipe!

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