Picking Season: October

Selection Tips:
- Quinces are considered a specialty item and not widely available.
- Quinces can be round, oval or somewhat pear shaped. Their appearance resembles a golden apple or pear.
- Choose those that are firm with a pale yellow skin. The yellow skin is often somewhat mottled with brown spots that don't affect the flavor or quality.
- Quinces that are shriveled, soft, or brown all over are no longer fresh.

Nutritional Value:
- Being abundant with fiber, quince is wonderful for individuals who want to lose weight and keep fit.
- Quince antioxidants help your body combat free radicals and therefore lower the risk of cancer.
- Eating of quince is identified to be good for people affected by gastric ulcer.
- Frequent intake of quince not only helps with digestive function, but also helps reduce cholesterol levels.
- The content of potassium in the fruit assists your body to keep hypertension under control.

Did you know???
- The ancient Greeks considered quinces to be the symbol of fertility and dedicated them to the goddess of love.
- With their naturally pleasing aroma, quinces make ideal bases for pomanders studded with cloves and hung as decorations or given as gifts during the Christmas season.

The Brown Family's Quince Jelly:

1. Cut whole fruits or skins into small pieces, being sure to reject seeds.
2. Cook in enough water to cover until tender, then strain through jelly bag.
3. Measure juice and boil 20 minutes.
4. Have ready same amount of sugar, add to juice and boil 1 minute.
5. Pour into sterilized jars.
6. Quince may be combined with grapes for jelly.

Quince Relish:

1. Pare, core and chop quince and cook a little while in the vinegar before adding sugar and celery seed.
2. Let cook until fruit is tender.
3. Serve with meat.

Quince Honey:

1. Boil sugar and water together for 15 minutes.
2. Add quince and boil until translucent or until the consistency of honey (about 20 minutes).
3. Pour into sterilized jars, filled to overflowing. Seal.