Dyunja z Yablukamy (Quince with Apples)
A comforting and aromatic dessert featuring tender quince and apples baked with honey, spices, and walnuts. This dish highlights the use of seasonal fruits and traditional flavor combinations in Ukrainian home cooking.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Servings6
DifficultyEasy
🧂 Ingredients
- 3 medium Quince
- 3 medium Apples(such as Honeycrisp or Gala)
- 4 tbsp Honey
- 50 g Walnuts(chopped)
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 0.5 tsp Ground cloves
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 2 tbsp Butter(melted)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
💡 Tip: Ensure oven is fully preheated before baking. - 2
Wash and core the quince and apples. Cut them into quarters or thick slices.
💡 Tip: Remove any tough cores or seeds. - 3
In a large bowl, toss the quince and apple pieces with honey, cinnamon, cloves, lemon juice, and melted butter.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 4
Arrange the fruit in a single layer in a baking dish. Sprinkle chopped walnuts over the fruit.
💡 Tip: Use a dish that is not too large, so the fruit is somewhat crowded. - 5
Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the fruit is tender and slightly caramelized. The quince should be easily pierced with a fork.
⏱️ 45 minutes💡 Tip: Baste the fruit with its own juices halfway through baking for extra moisture. - 6
Let cool slightly before serving. Can be served warm or at room temperature.
💡 Tip: Delicious served with a dollop of sour cream or vanilla ice cream.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Quince can be quite hard; ensure you have a sharp knife.
- ✓If quince is not readily available, you can increase the amount of apples and add a touch more spice.
- ✓Adjust sweetness to your preference by altering the amount of honey.
🔄 Variations
- Add a few dried cranberries or raisins for extra tartness and chewiness.
- A splash of brandy or rum can be added to the fruit mixture before baking for an adult twist.
- Serve with a side of homemade yogurt or a light custard.