Walnut, Quince & Manchego Bites

In Spain, quince paste is commonly paired with manchego cheese, made from raw goat’s milk, as a breakfast item or snack.

A Fast Food Good Food exclusive! Quince paste, known as dulce do membrillo in Spanish-speaking countries, is made by cooking the hard, tart flesh of this fruit (a relative of apples and pears) with water and sugar until it turns red and sticky and holds its shape. It’s available in specialty grocery stores and online. In Spain, quince paste is commonly paired with manchego cheese, made from raw goat’s milk, as a breakfast item or snack. This recipe fancies up the combination with toasted spiced walnuts and chopped parsley and it works as a breakfast dish.

1 1/2 cups raw walnuts, toasted
Pinch of sea salt
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 /12 pounds quince paste, cubed
1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
1 1/2 pounds manchego cheese, cubed, at room temperature

1. Place the walnuts in a food processor and add a pinch of salt and the paprika. Pulse until the nuts are very finely chopped, then pour out onto a plate.

2. Roll and press each cube of quince paste in the walnuts until it is nicely coated. Thread onto a toothpick, place a leaf of parsely on top, and add a cube of manchego last. Thread the remaining quince paste, parsley, and cheese on toothpicks in the same way and serve.