Quince Stew (Chorosht'e Be)

In a 6-quart saucepan, sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil until the onion starts to become translucent (about 1 minute).

Add the meat; cover and cook until meat no longer looks red, stirring occasionally.

Add salt and pepper.

Add water, tomato paste, lime juice, quince, prunes, and potatoes. Simmer, covered, for 1 hour, stirring occasionally until meat is tender.

Serve hot in a casserole dish.

Tricks of the trade

Make sure to remove the entire core of this fruit, since any remainder will cook along and harden like a rock in the inner layer of the fruit! Since quinces are often hard to find, the second I find some I buy many and freeze them already sliced in separate bags so I can use them as needed. Lamb or veal are also delicious in this recipe, or make it vegetarian-friendly by using seitan (wheat "meat") instead. By the way, most Persian stews freeze really well, but don't freeze this one, because it has potatoes and potatoes don't like the freezer!

Reprinted with permission from Persian Food From the Non-Persian Bride by Reyna Simnegar, © 2011 Reyna Simnegar