Compot de Fructe (Moldovan Stewed Fruit Drink)
Local name: Compot de fructe
In short: A lightly sweet drink of apples, plums and cherries simmered in water with sugar and lemon peel, served cold with the soft fruit. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Resting
- 3 h
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 120 kcal
Compot is the fruit drink of Moldovan summers and winters alike. Whatever fruit is in season, apples, plums, apricots or cherries, goes into a pot of water with a little sugar and is simmered just until tender, then cooled and served very cold. Many families keep a jug in the fridge all summer, and the soft fruit at the bottom of the glass is eaten with a spoon.
Instructions
- Put the water, sugar, lemon peel and cinnamon stick, if using, in a large pot. Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
- Add the apples and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Add the plums or apricots and the cherries and simmer for 5 more minutes, until the fruit is just tender but still holds its shape.
- Take the pot off the heat, cover it and let the compot cool to room temperature, about 1 hour.
- Remove the lemon peel and cinnamon. Chill for at least 2 hours, taste for sweetness and serve in glasses with some of the fruit.
Tips
- Add the fruit in order of firmness, apples first and soft fruit last. Overcooked fruit turns mushy and clouds the drink.
- Use less sugar if the fruit is very ripe. Taste the liquid after it cools and sweeten only if needed.
Questions and answers
Can I use frozen fruit for compot?
Yes. Add frozen berries or cherries straight to the simmering syrup and cook just until the liquid returns to a simmer.
How long does compot keep?
Up to 5 days in a covered jug in the fridge. The color deepens over time.
Can I make compot with dried fruit?
Yes. Dried apples, pears, plums and apricots make a winter version. Simmer them for 20 to 25 minutes, since they take longer to soften, and use less sugar.
How long does it take to make Compot de Fructe (Moldovan Stewed Fruit Drink)?
About 25 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Compot de Fructe (Moldovan Stewed Fruit Drink)?
About 120 kcal per serving, with 1 g of protein, 29 g of carbohydrates and 0 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 120 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 29 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 25 g |
| Sodium | 3 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
