Quince & Apple Preserves From Madison

Quince & Apple's Clare and Matt Stoner Fehsenfeld insist their jams aren't just for toast.

Their creative made-in-Madison condiments–now available in Chicago–have us excited about culinary applications beyond the breadbasket.

These not-too-sugary jams just may become the secret ingredient in your home cooking. In their fig concoction, dried mission figs are simmered with Indonesian black tea for a dark, caramel-y conserve that can swing sweet or savory. Take inspiration from Madison coffee shop Bradbury's and fold the jam into a crêpe with fresh chèvre, or match it with a stuffed pork loin (click here to see the recipe).

Amp up your regular vinaigrette with a spoonful of tangy orange-lemon marmalade to make a zippy dressing for fennel salad. Shallot jam (caramelized shallots simmered in Malbec) complements meats and doubles as a deceptively easy sauce for roasted vegetables (click here to see the recipe).

And as the winter wanes, the duo has begun developing their spring and summer recipes. Plans include blackberry-Riesling and ground cherry-chamomile–as the local fruit comes into season. Whole strawberries will be simmered with pepper, juniper, lemon, hibiscus and a heavy dose of fresh rosemary.

A line of cheese-specific flavors is under discussion with Pastoral, and they're hoping to see their goods grace sandwiches at Bagel on Damen.

Find Quince & Apple preserves online or at Pastoral, Olivia's Market and Bagel on Damen