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The Quince-Quintessential Fruit of Fall

© Connie Krochmal

Once quince was a very popular fruit. Unfortunately, it fell out of favor, which is a pity. Among fruit trees, it is one of the most ornamental. These low-growing, gnarled trees are perfect for small landscapes.

The hardy plants, recommended for USDA zones 4-9, have a moderate growth rate. They can be grown as a shrub, or bushy tree, and is suitable as an espalier for sheltered areas. The plants have a low chill requirement, so they're recommended for warm climates.

Under good conditions, quince trees can reach 10 to 20 feet or so.

The attractive foliage tends to be bright green above, and whitish with fuzz underneath. Its leaves turn a gorgeous yellow in the fall. White to pale pink, the large showy, goblet-like blooms appear at the tips of branches in the spring. These open after the leaves have unfurled, and can suffer damage if the temperatures drop to -15 degrees Fahrenheit.

The large, pear-shaped fruits ripen to yellow. These are heavy, and hard. Ever so fragrant, they were once used as natural room deodorizers.

Usually, the fruits are eaten cooked. In warm climates where they have a chance to completely ripen before fall, they become soft enough to eat raw. Storing them for a few weeks sometimes softens them as well. This isn't necessary with some of the newer cultivars from Russia. These bear tender, sweet fruits.

The quince is commonly made into jellies, jams, preserves, desserts, and stewed fruit. Cooking turns their flesh pinkish-red. A favorite recipe among the Pennsylvania Dutch is quince cake or gwitteschpeck. Often, these fruits have a pleasant spicy flavor. Once, they were used as a source of pectin.

For more recipes and complete instructions on preparing home-baked goodies with this wonderful fruit, I refer you to the ultimate guide to baking, "Home Baking-the Artful Mix of Flour and Tradition Around the World" by Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duguid, award-winning authors of "Hot Sour Salty Sweet." In this book from Artisan, they present an unbeatable collection from their world travels. Using these easy to make recipes, novice and experienced bakers alike will be delighted with the results of their labor.

Quince plants are quite easy to grow and maintain. It will tolerate dry weather better than the apple. To maintain as a tree, it is necessary to remove the many suckers from the base of older plants.

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