Cranberry, Quince, and Pearl Onion Compote

Name: Cranberry, Quince, and Pearl Onion Compote
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 38 min
Total time: 58 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½ pound pearl onions; 2 cups apple juice; 1 cup sugar; 2 tablespoons cider vinegar; 6 whole cloves; 1 teaspoon coriander seeds; 2 whole quinces; 12 ounces cranberries

A sophisticated sweet-tart compote combining pearl onions, quinces, and cranberries in a spiced apple juice and sugar syrup. Perfect as a holiday side dish or condiment.

8 servings

50 min

Published October 4, 2025

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Ingredients

•½ pound pearl onions
•2 cups apple juice
•1 cup sugar
•2 tablespoons cider vinegar
•6 whole cloves
•1 teaspoon coriander seeds
•2 whole quinces
•12 ounces cranberries

Cooking Instructions

1.
Trim root end of each onion and cut an X in it. Blanch in boiling water 1 minute, then drain in a colander. Cool slightly, then peel.
5 min
2.
Bring juice, sugar, vinegar, and spices to a boil in a 3-quart heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Add onions and quinces and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until tender but not falling apart, about 30 minutes.
30 min
3.
Add cranberries and simmer until tender but not falling apart, 5 to 8 minutes. Discard cloves. Transfer fruit and onions to a bowl using a slotted spoon, then boil syrup, if necessary, until reduced to 1/2 cup. Pour syrup over compote and cool to room temperature.
15 min