Ingredients
4 pounds slightly underripe quinces, washed well and cut into pieces
7 cups water
4 cups sugar
Juice of 1 lemon
1 or 2 star anise
Preparation
Place quinces in a large saucepan. Add water, and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook, covered, until dark pink and very soft, about 3 hours.
Pass through a fine sieve, pressing out liquid; discard solids. (You should have 4 cups liquid. If you don’t, adjust the amount of sugar used in step 3 to maintain a 1:1 ratio.)
Bring quince juice, sugar, lemon juice, and star anise to a simmer in a large saucepan over high heat. Cook, skimming foam, until thick and a candy thermometer registers 220 degrees. Plate-test jelly to make sure it is set. Divide between four 1/2-pint-size sterilized glass jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace at tops. Can in water bath for 10 minutes. Let stand overnight to fully set before using. Unopened jelly can be stored at room temperature for up to 1 year.
Place a few small plates in the freezer before you prepare preserves. To test if preserves are set, remove a plate from freezer and drop a spoonful of preserves on it. Return to freezer for 1 to 2 minutes, then nudge edge of preserves with a finger. If set, preserves should hold their shape. If preserves are thin and spread, return pot to a boil, testing preserves every minute using remaining plates in freezer, until set. Water-Bath Canning Once jars are filled, wipe rims and then close with screw bands and lids. Submerge jars, covering with water by 2 inches, upright on a wire rack in a large pot of hot water; bring to a boil. Boil for indicated time (or longer, depending on altitude). Remove jars from pot using tongs, and transfer to a layer of clean towels to cool. Once cool, check for a slight indentation in lids, which indicates a vacuum seal. Refrigerate all canned products after opening.
