- 1 pound quinces (about 3 medium), peeled, quartered, cored, cut into 1/3-inch cubes (about scant 4 cups)
- 1 1/2 cups apple cider
- 1 1/2 cups chopped red onion
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
- 1/2 cup dried currants
- 1/4 cup minced peeled fresh ginger
- 2 teaspoons grated orange peel
- 1 whole star anise
- 1 teaspoon black mustard seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- Mix all ingredients in heavy large saucepan; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until almost all liquid is absorbed, stirring often, about 45 minutes. Discard star anise. (Can be made 4 days ahead. Cover; chill.)
- A brown star-shaped seedpod; available in the spice section of some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores and Asian markets.