Clove-Poached Quince with Rose Cream & Pistachio Crumb
Fragrant, deeply hued, and gracefully spiced — quince slowly poached with clove, citrus, and vanilla becomes soft and jewel-toned. Finished with a light rose-scented cream and crunchy pistachio crumb, this dessert is exotic yet refined.
Servings 4
Calories 210kcal
Ingredients
- Poached Quince
- 2 large quince peeled, halved, and cored
- 2½ cups water
- 1 tbsp allulose or Swerve® granular adjust to taste
- ½ lemon sliced
- 4 whole cloves
- ½ cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or seeds from ½ pod
- Optional: 1 tsp rosewater for infusion after poaching
- 🌸 Rose Cream
- ½ cup whipped coconut cream or heavy cream
- ½ tsp rosewater food grade
- 1 tbsp Swerve® Confectioners or allulose
- Pinch sea salt
- 💎 Pistachio Crumb
- ¼ cup chopped pistachios
- 2 tbsp almond flour
- 1 tbsp melted coconut oil
- Pinch cardamom or cinnamon
- Pinch salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Poach the Quince
- In a medium saucepan, combine water, lemon slices, cloves, cinnamon stick, and sweetener.
- Bring to a low simmer, then add quince halves cut-side down.
- Simmer covered for 45–60 minutes, flipping once, until fruit turns amber-pink and is tender but not mushy.
- Turn off heat. Stir in vanilla and optional rosewater. Let quince cool in poaching liquid for full flavor.
- Step 2: Make Rose Cream
- In a bowl, whip coconut or dairy cream with rosewater, powdered sweetener, and salt until soft peaks form.
- Chill until ready to use.
- Step 3: Prepare Pistachio Crumb
- In a skillet, toast almond flour and pistachios in melted coconut oil over medium heat.
- Add pinch of cardamom and salt. Cook 3–4 minutes until golden and fragrant.
- Cool on parchment — will crisp slightly as it cools.
- Step 4: Plate the Dessert
- Place warm or chilled poached quince half in a shallow dish.
- Top with a generous spoonful of rose cream.
- Sprinkle pistachio crumb generously around or over top.
- Garnish with dried rose petals, edible gold, or a fresh mint leaf if desired.
Notes
Nutrition Facts (per serving, with cream & crumb)
(FDA-compliant, estimated)- Calories: 210
- Total Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
-
Carbohydrate: 12 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar Alcohols: 5 g
- Net Carbs: 4 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Sodium: 30 mg
Note: Quince is naturally higher in carbs than berries or apples but becomes lower-GI when paired with fat and fiber.
📦 Storage & Make-Ahead
- Poached Quince: Refrigerate in syrup up to 4 days
- Rose Cream: Make day-of, keeps chilled 24 hours
- Pistachio Crumb: Store airtight, 3–5 days at room temp
✨ Botanical & Culinary Notes
- Clove adds floral-spicy depth that balances quince’s natural sharpness.
- Rose & pistachio offer a Persian-influenced flavor arc, deeply aromatic.
- Allulose or Swerve ensures low glycemic sweetness with no aftertaste.
🛡️ Consumer Safety Note
⚠️ Notice: This dessert includes clove and rosewater as botanical flavorings. Use only food-grade floral ingredients and ensure individuals with nut or floral sensitivities are aware of components.
