Sun-Dried Quince Paste Tablets

Ingredients

• 6 pounds quinces
• 4 pounds granulated sugar
• 3.5 pounds granulated sugar (for coating)
• 2 tablespoons water (for coating)

Method

1. 1 Place quinces in a pot covered with water and bring to a boil until they begin to crack.
2. 2 Remove quinces, peel, scrape out the pulp, and rub it through a sieve.
3. 3 Return the quince pulp to the pot with 4 pounds of sugar and stir continually over heat.
4. 4 Boil for 7-8 minutes, stirring until the mixture forms thick pieces when lifted with a ladle.
5. 5 Spread the paste onto a board to a thickness of about a silver dollar.
6. 6 Dry the paste in the sun covered with cheesecloth to keep flies away.
7. 7 Once dry, cut into tablet shapes and remove from the board using a knife blade.
8. 8 Melt 3.5 pounds of sugar with 2 tablespoons of water until it reaches the thread stage.
9. 9 Smear the sugar syrup over one side of the quince tablets and let it dry.
10. 10 Smear the other side with the sugar syrup and allow to dry completely.