Marmelada Quince Paste

Marmelada, or quince paste, is a delicious and sweet fruit preserve commonly enjoyed in Portugal and other Mediterranean countries. It's a perfect accompaniment to cheese or simply spread on toast. This recipe will guide you through making your own homemade marmelada with just a few simple ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 4 large quinces
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 lemon juice and zest

Instructions:

After cleaning and peeling the quinces, take out the seeds and cores

Chop them up into tiny pieces

Put the quince chunks in a big pot and add water to cover them

Pour the lemon zest and juice into the pot

Once the mixture reaches a boil, lower the heat and simmer the quinces for 45 to 1 hour, or until they are tender and easily mashed with a fork

After the quinces become tender, take them off the heat and allow them to cool down a little

Puree the quinces in a food processor or blender until they are smooth

Another option is to use an immersion blender inside the pot

Put the pureed quinces back into the pot and mix in the powdered sugar

Mix thoroughly to blend

Stirring constantly, cook the mixture over low heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until it thickens and begins to pull away from the pot's sides

It can splatter, so use caution

To set, transfer the quince paste into a square or rectangular dish that has been lined or oiled

Parchment paper works well for easy removal afterwards

Allow it to cool and settle for a few hours or even overnight at room temperature

Cut the marmelada quince paste into tiny squares or rectangles after it has set

For extended shelf life, store in an airtight container with parchment paper between the layers and place in the refrigerator or a cool, dry place