Cheese hounds: what is this--onion jam?--and how would I make it?

Cafe Society
1

I was at an Italian restaurant a while ago and had a cheese plate that came with three sweet garnishes: honey, a jam, and then something that was a bit dry and crystallized but sweet. You can see it here (top-most tumbler). Unfortunately at the time I didn’t think to ask what it was and they haven’t responded to inquiries. (In their defense they probably change the menu all the time and may not be able to tell me anyway.)

I think it might have been an onion jam but I haven’t been able to find onion jams that fit it exactly; they are all too wet and brown. The closest I’ve found is this recipe but it may just be how it’s lit in the picture.

Any ideas on what it might be? If it is an onion jam, how could I make it to come out like that? It’s got a pinkish hue so it might not be onions at all.

And yes, it was one of my all-time favorite cheese plates. :slight_smile:

2

Quince paste, aka quince cheese? It doesn’t have any sort of allium flavour but is traditional with cheese.

3

There are fig and guava pastes that might be similar to what you had as well.

4

Mostarda?

5

Thanks for the suggestions. Mostarda is close but I don’t think that’s it. I’ve checked around a few places and nobody can quite place it. A mystery! I guess I’ll just have to go back.