Quince Apple Crisp with Cardamom and Rosewater

Bring the flavors of the middle east to your dessert table this fall with this quince apple crisp with cardamom and rosewater.

The calendar tells us that it is officially the fall season, but in San Diego this means hot weather. Luckily the grocery store shows us fall is here, with the arrival of apples, pears, squash and pumpkins.

One fall fruit that you many Americans are unfamiliar with is quince. This funny looking fruit resembles a bumpy pear. But that is as far as the similarities go.

Middle Easterners have long loved this misunderstood fruit for centuries. They discovered the magical transformation of quince when it is cooked into a ruby red quince jam.

But figure whatever you do you with apples and pears, you can also prepare with quince. So that means tarts, pies and crisps along with jams, compote and even Persian stews. Which brings me to today’s recipe for apple quince crisp with cardamom and rosewater.

Laura says :

Why this recipe works

• Simple: A fruit crisp is one of the easiest desserts to throw together. It’s not as complicated a pie, but has all the fruity flavor you crave from one.
• Quince magic: Quince has a very sour and bitter taste. The beauty of quince is revealed when it is cooked. The flesh softens and becomes incredibly aromatic.
• Unique Crisp: Because quince is beloved amongst us Persians, I gave my crisp a Persian twist and added cardamom and rosewater. All of the aromas that came from this dish made me swoon. This is not your ordinary fruit crisp.

Ingredients you need

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• Quince: Look for firm, unbruised fruit. It should also be aromatic.
• Apples: Use baking apples like honey crisp, jonagold or granny smith apples.
• Lemon juice: This keeps the apples and quince from browning, as both fruits oxidize after cut.
• Rosewater: Although not necessary, it gives your crisp a touch of the exotic. You can find it online and in middle eastern markets.
• Dried rose petals: Again, this is optional, but You can find it online and in middle eastern markets.
• Almond slices: You can also use other nuts like pistachios, walnuts or pecans.
• Butter: I like to use butter for the crisp topping. I have used vegan butter and coconut oil for a vegan alternative.
• Spices: ground cardamom, ground cinnamon, salt
• Pantry staples: granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, brown sugar (light or dark), old-fashion oatmeal

Step-by-step directions

1. Prep quince. Peel and core quince then chop into small chunks. Add to a small pot, cover with water and bring to boil. Cook for 5 minutes, drain and reserve.
2. Make filling. Peel and core apples, then chop into large chunks. Place both fruits in a large bowl and mix in with lemon juice, rosewater, sugar, flour and spices. Pour fruit mixture into baking dish.
3. Make crisp topping. Combine flour, brown sugar, oatmeal, salt and butter. Mix with your hands, squeezing butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in almond slices.
4. Assemble and bake. Sprinkle oat mixture evenly over the fruit and bake until the top is brown and the fruit is bubbly.
5. Cool. Allow crisp to cool a bit before serving. Garnish top of crisp with dried rose petals (optional). Serve warm or at room temperature.

Expert tips and recipe FAQs

Since quince is much harder than apples, I partially cooked them in water and lemon juice. This way the apples and the quince end in the same firmness after this crisp is baked.

If you want to try more unique crisp recipes, try my peach crisp and even an apple grape crisp. And if you love quince like I do, then you must try my homemade quince jam!

Quince Apple Crisp with Cardamom and Rosewater

Laura Bashar | Family Spice

Bring the flavors of the middle east to your dessert table this fall with this apple quince crisp with cardamom and rosewater.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Course Pies, Tarts and Other Desserts

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 8

Calories 215 kcal

Ingredients

  

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Filling Ingredients

• 2 firm quince
• 2 cup water
• 4 granny smith apples
• 2 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon rosewater
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoon all purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Crisp Ingredients

• ⅓ cup all purpose flour
• ⅓ cup brown sugar light or dark
• ⅓ cup old-fashion oatmeal
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoon unsalted cold butter cut into small pieces
• ¼ cup almond slices
• ½ teaspoon crushed dried rose petals optional

Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350ºF.
• Peel and core quince, chop into small chunks and place in a small pot.
• Cover quince with water, bring to boil, cook for 5 minutes, drain and reserve.
• Peel and core apples, chop apples into large chunks and place in a large bowl with the chopped quince.
• Mix in with the fruit lemon juice, rosewater, granulated sugar, flour and spices.
• Pour fruit mixture into a 9" x 9" baking dish.
• In a separate bowl combine flour, brown sugar, oatmeal, salt and butter. Mix with your hands, squeezing butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
• Stir in almond slices. Sprinkle oat mixture evenly over the fruit, covering the fruit completely.
• Place the baking dish on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the top is brown and the fruit is bubbly.
• Allow crisp to cool 10 minutes prior to serving.
• Garnish top of crisp with dried rose petals (optional). Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Serving Suggestions: Serve alone, with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

TO STORE: Cover and store any leftover fruit crisp on the counter at room temperature for up to 2 days. Fruit desserts will keep longer in the refrigerator, up to 4-5 days.

TO FREEZE: You can also freeze leftovers. Transfer to a resealable bag or freezer safe container and freeze for up to 4 months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 215kcalCarbohydrates: 37.9gProtein: 1.9gFat: 7.3gSaturated Fat: 4.2gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 41mgFiber: 4.1gSugar: 24.1g

Keyword apple quince crisp, quince apple, quince apple crisp, quince crisp, quince recipe

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