Quince

"The owl and the pussycat weren't the first couple to savor quince
as a romantic symbol: as far back as Roman times, lovers gave each other
the golden fruit as a pledge to be true. These days quince is more of a
kitchen darling than a courtship tool. Fans adore its exotic fragrance
and the magical way the fruit blushes from peach to rose as it cooks.
Quince does require some TLC to make it lovable. The raw fruit is sour,
so it's usually poached in a syrup, roasted with a sweetener, or simmered
until soft before using. Try poaching quince slices, a cinnamon stick,
and a split vanilla bean for 15 minutes in 2 parts water to 1 part sugar.
Then use the fruit the way you use apples or pears in pies or crisps. One
taste of this and you will find that with quince, it's love at first bite."

-Vegetarian Times Magazine November/December 2010