Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Tea On Tuesday.........Yellow Quinces

According to Google, the quince was sacred to Aphrodite and Venus, the goddesses of love, and a symbol of love, happiness and fertility in Greek and Roman times. I just love every thing about them ! Their buttery yellow colour, their soft, furry film when first picked, their beautiful organic shape, but most of all their delicious aroma. 4 or 5 quinces left in the fruit bowl give off the most delicate perfume,  that for me, remind me of my childhood, of crisp autumn days and cosy warm kitchens.
Quinces are really hard and require long, gentle cooking. Their flesh is white, but after 2 hours of slow, poaching in the oven, they turn this gorgeous deep, ruby orange colour....where does this amazing colour come from ? !

My clever friend Gill made quince jelly this year and we did a swap:-- a jar of her quince jelly for a jar of my apricot jam. The jelly is the most beautifully coloured preserve and I love how the light shines through it.
We were given some quinces last week and so for tea today ( and desert tonight ) I have made a quince and chocolate tart. The recipe belongs to Maggie Beer, a much loved cook and food celebrity from South Australia's Barossa Valley. It's a little tricky to make, I don't think mine is quite cooked in the middle, ( notice I have put the cream where the gooiest bit is ) but definitely worth the effort. The tea is simple........English Breakfast. 
Thanks for visiting me today, and for more Tuesday tea parties visit here.



13 comments:

  1. wow gayle ... stunning photos and that dessert looks soooooo yummy and full of delightful wickedness... LOL ... love and hugz x

    ReplyDelete
  2. I can't believe that I am such a foodie and yet have never had a quince... do you eat them raw too? happy tea day!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I was simply delighted to enjoy tea with you today. I've missed those weekly get togethers. You make the quince sound like it came from "the gods." The photos alone make this fruit look so wonderful and awesome. The tea cup is beautiful, too. And of course your post reminds me that autumn has arrived in Australia, while we in the States (and northern hemisphere) are in the throes of spring.

    Happy Tea today.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lovely images and interesting information about the quince. I don't know that I've ever actually seen one before and certainly have never tasted it. But I just looked up more information and apparently they are a bit different depending on where they come from. Temperature has a lot to do with the final product. And they can be kept wrapped in the fridge for up to 2 months. Wow! Hope you are having a great day. Anything with chocolate and cream has got to be good. :) Best wishes, Tammy

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oooh your tart looks delish but I have to admit, I don't think I have eaten quinces either! :( Such a lovely red colour once they are cooked and the colour comes from... the Gods!! LOL Thank you for Tea and pie....

    ReplyDelete
  6. That reminds me of the owl and the pussycat, "they dined on mince and slices of quince, which they ate with a runcible spoon ...."

    I'm sure I've never had it before ... But I'll have to look for quince jam in the market. I know I've seen it there. Your tart looks and sounds delicious! I love chocolate with fruit :)

    Thanks for joining us this week .... I've been trying to post earlier to be more globally minded :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I don't think I have ever even heard of Quince.. But it does look yummy.. I just love stopping by and reading your Tea Tuesday post..

    Hugs, Linda

    ReplyDelete
  8. o my, that post made me want to find a quince! their flowery branches are so pretty too!! now i have to go see if i can grow those here!! beautiful tea post, thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  9. My mouth is watering...

    No tea post for me today (I am STILL under reconstruction!), but I am visting everyone else today (I NEED a break!)

    Thanks for a yummy pause. :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. That looks scrumptious! Love the tea set. So delicate and feminine.

    ReplyDelete
  11. ooo what a lovely post
    I am drooling over your gorgeous chocolate and quince tart...and that jam is luminous!

    earlier this spring here on the east coast of the US my mother's quince bushes were in full bloom....the blossoms along with the forsythia are always such a happy and pretty sight

    always special stopping by dear Gayle!
    Brightest of Blessings to you and yours!
    oxo

    ReplyDelete
  12. thanks for getting back to me dearheart, don't they EVER ripen fresh???

    ReplyDelete
  13. Awesome post :) now I just have to find quince and try it. Your tea cut is gorgeous, very elegant.

    ReplyDelete

thanks for leaving your comment....always read and much appreciated.