Les treize dessert de Noel

You can pick anything for this celebration.
I carved an apple into a bird!

This Fall I found the Quince, and while searching more about it I stumbled on a celebration from the South of France, the Languedoc-Rousillon region, kind of the Provence area. Well, one thing you may not know is my admiration for all things French. I dream of a world of taking time, of valuing relationships and time, of spending beaucoup money to take time, hours of it really, sitting in a cafe, talking, writing, just being there, knowing your waiter will not interrupt a minute of your time unless you summon him/her. The idea of spending more time talking to your companion at a meal, than you spend answering questions like: "are you done, can I take your plate, do you want dessert, would you like a refill, do you want the check." It is exhausting going out to eat, I would like to spend more time talking to my family than the wait person. So, that means I must return to France. Until I make it back I decided to search for little bits of culture incorporated into my every day life. This is one.

My version includes dried figs and dates, nuts like whole walnuts and almonds, and every rare fruit I can find. I found: persimmons, perscimmons, pomegranates, asian pear, palmello, kiwi, sweet cuties, star fruit, quince (made into membrillo or jam) and the more common honeydew melon.

To serve I make a salad with the fruit, make a French Fogasse shaped like a tree (focaccia in Italian),

This is Quince!

This is the color when
you make it into jam!!!

which I break with my hands (symbolizing breaking bread at the last supper) to serve with quince jam and cheese and a morning orange lime beignet dusted with powdered sugar.