Many lovers of unusual, decorative trees and shrubs have long been familiar with Chinese quince. She belongs to a well-known family and has several similar relatives. For example, ordinary quince is widely used in cooking and is more widespread. But this variety has for some time been isolated into a separate genus - pseudo-inheritance. Chinese quince has very good taste characteristics, it is successfully used in cooking.
Description
What is attractive about this plant? Chinese quince is a medium-sized tree that can reach a height of 2 meters. This plant always has a curved trunk and a very dense crown. Under the oval leaves with carved edges during flowering, pale pink petals of inflorescences are barely visible. But the main decoration of this tree is its fruits.
They are oval in shape and with proper care can reach 17 centimeters in length and weigh up to 1.5 kilograms. A feature of the fruit is a very strong, pleasant aroma. They contain many essential oils. They are often used to give compote and jam a special aroma and taste.
Beneficial features
In China, the fruits of this tree are called "longevity fruits." Their use is very beneficial for the body. Chinese quince contains much more vitamin C than lemons and oranges. In addition, the fruits of the tree contain a large number of vitamins A, B, E and nicotinic acid. The value of this fruit is not necessary.
The fruits have a slightly sour taste and amazing aroma. They normalize the work of the spleen and stomach, soothe the liver, and relax muscles. They are successfully used to relieve spasms, pain in the lower back and joints, as well as for edema. The use of Chinese quince has a good effect with rheumatism, injuries, bruises, sprains, vitamin deficiency and poisoning. The fruits of the tree are a strong allergen, so they should be used with caution in case of allergies.
Application
The collection of fruits occurs as they ripen. Quince can be stored for a very long time under the necessary conditions. Fresh fruits are rarely used for food. They have a very rigid structure. Typically, Chinese quince is boiled or baked. Also, fruits are used in the preparation of jams, preserves, marmalades, jellies, compotes and juices.
Due to the aroma of fruits and a large amount of essential oils, they are added to sauces for meat dishes. Very widely, this fruit is used in dishes of Central Asian and Caucasian cuisine. Quince slices in dried and dried form look good. To do this, they are sprinkled with sugar and stored for some time at room temperature. After that, the slices are boiled in syrup and dried in the oven.
Quince in cosmetology
Chinese quince, whose properties are also used in cosmetology, has an antiseptic and drying effect. Masks from this plant nourish the skin, improving its quality. To prepare them, the quince pulp is crushed and mixed with additional ingredients. It can be vegetable oils, starch, oatmeal, egg yolk or various cereals. Depending on the composition, such masks can be used for various skin types.
Subtleties of making jam
It’s just amazing to get jam from Chinese quince. It has a beautiful honey color and a delicious aroma. But even the preparation of such a light at first glance, goodies has its own subtleties. Firstly, it is the quality of the fruit, which must be ripe and intact. It is better to take slightly unripe fruits. Secondly, the cooking container also plays a large role. It is better if it will be a wide basin, copper or stainless steel.
The third condition is the mandatory removal of foam, which is formed during cooking. And finally, this is the correct degree of jam readiness. If you digest it, then the taste of the dessert will become worse, and if you do not cook it, it will not be stored for long. Syrup should not be too liquid (this is when a drop spreads over the surface of the saucer). If the syrup has become too dark, it means that it is digested.
Chinese quince jam
Chinese quince is very juicy, so when cooking jam, you can not add water. For one kilogram of fruit, you need to take 1.2 kilograms of sugar. To make it easier to cut quince into slices, it must first be poured with boiling water for 10 minutes, and then immediately transferred to cold water. Put the finished pieces in a suitable container and fill them with sugar. Fruits should give juice, it can take several hours. Only after this can you start making jam. We put the container on fire, making the fire moderate.
When the sugar has dissolved, you need to boil it for 10-15 minutes. Then turn off the fire and leave the jam to infuse for 10-12 hours. After that, put the container back on fire. At this point, you can add 300-400 grams of peeled and sliced apples. Jam from this will only become tastier. Now we cook the delicacy until ready, until the syrup thickens, and the fruits become transparent. Pour jam into jars and close it with lids. Quince, recipes for the winter from which are not difficult, is not only tasty, but also healthy.
Chinese quince compote
What to cook from Chinese quince except jam? Despite the fact that this fruit is not very popular, it is used in many dishes. Very often, housewives harvest compote from quince Chinese or simple. The drink is not only tasty, but also healthy. Quince contains many vitamins, some of which remain after processing. The most time-consuming process in preparing compote is slicing. The fruits of this fruit are very hard, but if they are preliminarily poured with boiling water for 10 minutes, then cutting them into slices will become easier.
For cooking, take a kilogram of quince, two liters of water and 400 grams of sugar. The fruits must be washed thoroughly (you can use a not very stiff brush). Then we cut them into slices, removing the core. We can’t remove the peel, as it will give the compote an unusual aroma. Then we put a pot of water on the fire and add sugar to it. When the syrup boils, put the quince in it. Cook it for about 7 minutes. Put quince slices in prepared jars and pour them with syrup. We close the containers with lids, cool and move to a cooler place. Chinese
quince, the recipes of which will become your favorite, has an incredible aroma and taste that saturates every dish.
Stewed apples and quinces
These fruits combine very well, forming a magnificent tandem. Compote turns out tasty and rich. Take half a kilogram of apples, 400 grams of sugar, a liter of water and half a kilogram of Chinese quince. You can take other varieties, but this one is more fragrant. Cut apples and quinces into slices, removing seeds. So that the fruits do not darken, they can be put in water with a small amount of lemon juice or salt. Pre quince slices boil in boiling water for about 10 minutes. Then we lay it and apples in jars. Separately, we prepare syrup from water and sugar and pour fruit into it. Banks are closed with metal lids and after cooling we move to a cool place.
Quince meat
This fruit is very often used in the preparation of dishes of beef, lamb and poultry. Quince and pork go well together. For cooking, take 400 grams of meat, one onion, 400 grams of quince, vegetable oil, spices and salt. First you need to cut quince into slices and fry them on each side until golden brown in a pan with the addition of vegetable oil. At the same time, the fruits are salted and peppered. Then put the prepared quince aside.
After that, we cut the meat into portions and fry them in the same oil that is left over from the preparation of quince. After that we transfer the meat to the pan and add salt and pepper to it. Put the fried onions on top and pour a little broth, water or wine. The meat should be stewed until cooked. Then add quince, the necessary spices to it and leave it on the stove, making the fire minimal, for about another 20 minutes. Flavored and appetizing meat with quince is ready.
Baked Chicken with Quince
Quince slices soaked in meat juice are not only tasty, but also beautiful. For cooking, you will need chicken (2 kilograms), two medium quinces, one lemon, coriander, salt, pepper, some Provence herbs, an average head of garlic and ground paprika. All spices and spices can be taken in arbitrary proportions.
Pour the prepared chicken carcass with lemon juice inside and out and leave for 10-15 minutes. After that, mix all the spices and rub the meat well with them. Inside the carcass, lay the quince, which we first cut into slices, and a whole head of garlic. After that, we sew the chicken’s abdomen with thread and rub it with a mixture of sour cream (2 large spoons) and mustard (one small spoon). We place the carcass in a baking bag, not forgetting to pierce the holes for the exit of steam, and send it to the oven.
The chicken will be ready in about an hour. The main ingredient will be meat, and quince will be a nice addition. Recipes for the winter are festive and everyday with the addition of this fruit - this is an opportunity to surprise your loved ones with something new and extremely tasty. And given the useful properties of quince, these culinary creations can also be called healing.