[Sca-cooks] Cotignac

[Holly Stockley]

>
>I've tried that, but ended up adding so much sugar I felt like I was making
>candy.  The paste/sauce even looked quite glossy, but still tasted like it
>needed more.  If that was because the quinces weren't ripe, how do I know
>when they are?  They never soften, and they smelled lovely, so I thought
>they were ready.
>
>Sandra

For a rule of thumb, I tend to end up with equal weights of pulp and sugar 
to start with, or nearly so.  Ripeness judging in quinces depends on the 
variety.  Those I have access to locally tend to get more golden in color as 
they ripen, and their aroma gets even stronger.  You're right, they don't 
soften until they've downright gone off.  By which point they ripening 
process has produced enough pectinase enzymes that getting things to set is 
a little more difficult.

It takes quite a while to get them boiled down.  Plan on reducing the volume 
by half or more, depending on local weather conditions.

I've made it with quinces, plums, apples, pears, gooseberries and 
blackberries.  Markham's "The English Housewife" has a paste recipe that 
lists a variety of fruit that can be used.  Elinor Fettiplace's Receipt Book 
has the recipe for gooseberry paste.

The fun thing is that it keeps beatifully in an airtight container.  You 
could make some now with in season fruits for Twelfth Night gift giving.

Femke