Quinces with Horseshoes
To prepare a delicious quince pie, we start by activating the yeast. In a small bowl, we add half a cup of lukewarm milk (not hot, so as not to kill the yeast) and a tablespoon of sugar. We stir gently and let the yeast soften for about 10 minutes, until a foam forms on the surface. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, we put 500 grams of flour, add a teaspoon of salt, and mix the dry ingredients well. Once the yeast is activated, we add it to the bowl with flour, along with a beaten egg.
We start kneading the dough, gradually adding warm milk until we obtain a soft but not sticky dough, similar to that used for pies. After we finish kneading, we cover the bowl with a clean towel and let the dough rise in a warm place for about an hour. An excellent option is to put the bowl in the microwave, where it will be protected from drafts.
Meanwhile, we take care of the filling. The quinces are peeled and grated on the large grater. We add sugar to taste, and if we want, we can also add ground nuts for extra texture and flavor. We mix well and put the mixture in a pan to sauté for a few minutes until the quinces become slightly soft and fragrant.
Once the dough has risen, we take a piece of dough the size of an apple and roll it out on a floured surface. We try to roll it as thin as possible, then we spread soft butter at room temperature on one side of the sheet. On one side of the sheet, we cut strips with a knife, leaving the other side intact. Then, we place a strip of sautéed quince and roll the dough, forming a log. To add a touch of originality, we can cut the rolls into horseshoe shapes.
After we have shaped all the pies, we let them rise for another 30-45 minutes, also in a warm place. Before putting them in the preheated oven, we brush them with melted butter mixed with a little sugar to achieve a golden and shiny crust. We bake the pies at moderate heat until they become golden brown and fragrant. When they are warm, we dust them with vanilla powdered sugar to give them an appetizing look.
Enjoy these warm, fragrant, and flavorful pies. Bon appétit!
Ingredients: 1 kg flour, 1 egg, 25 g fresh yeast, 100 g sugar, butter for greasing the sheets, milk as needed to make a suitable dough, 2 - 3 quinces, sugar to taste for sautéing the quinces, a teaspoon of salt, flavors (vanilla, grated lemon peel)
