Sephardic Fruit Paste Candies (Dulce de Fruta)
- About 4 cups fruit pulp (see Variations below)
- About 4 cups sugar
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Confectioners' or granulated sugar for coating (optional)
- 1.
- Measure the fruit pulp and place in a heavy medium nonreactive saucepan (do not use iron, copper, or brass).
- Add 1 cup sugar for each cup of pulp.
- Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and sputters, 30 to 50 minutes.
- Add the lemon juice and cook, stirring for 2 minutes.
- 2.
- Spread the fruit paste over a greased 13-by-9-inch baking pan or on a baking sheet to a 1-inch thickness.
- Let cool, then cut into squares or diamonds.
- Or form the warm fruit paste into 1-inch balls and, if desired, press a walnut half or blanched almond into each ball.
- Cover with waxed paper and let stand at room temperature overnight.
- If desired, dredge the candies in confectioners' or granulated sugar to coat.
- This helps to keep the candies from sticking together.
- Store between sheets of waxed paper in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Scatter 1 cup ground blanched almonds in a 13-by-9-inch baking pan or on a baking sheet, spread the fruit paste on top, and sprinkle another 1 cup ground almonds over the fruit paste.
- Cook 3 pounds (10 to 12 medium) coarsely chopped tart apples in 1 1/2 cups apple cider or water over medium heat until tender, 20 to 40 minutes.
- Drain and let cool.
- Press through a food mill or strainer.
- Or use 4 cups unsweetened applesauce.
- Soak 1 pound (about 3 1/4 cups) dried apricots in water to cover for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Drain, reserving 1 cup of the soaking liquid.
- In a food processor or food mill, puree the apricots.
- Add the reserved soaking liquid.
- Puree and strain 2 pounds (about 7 cups) stemmed blackberries, mulberries, or raspberries.
- Add 1 cup water.
- This Indian adaptation of the Middle Eastern confection is called kamrooden in Calcutta.
- Use 4 cups strained mango pulp (about 4 pounds or 8 medium mangoes).
- Halve and pit 2 pounds fresh peaches or apricots.
- Poach in boiling water for 15 minutes.
- Drain, peel, and puree.
- If desired, stir 1 teaspoon almond extract into the thickened paste.
- Cook 3 pounds peeled, cored, and chopped pears in 1 1/2 cups water over medium heat until tender, about 30 minutes.
- Drain and let cool.
- In a food processor or food mill, puree the pulp.
- Among Greek, Syrian, and Iraqi communities, quince preserves (kylthoni glyko) and candied quinces are served on Rosh Hashannah and Passover.
- Peel and slice 3 pounds (about 8 medium) hard and slightly unripe quinces.
- Cook in 1 1/2 cups water over medium heat until tender, about 30 minutes.
- Drain and let cool.
- Mash the pulp and press through a strainer.
- Cook 2 pounds peeled and chopped quinces and 1 pound peeled, cored, and chopped apples in 1 1/2 cups water over medium heat until tender, about 30 minutes.
- Drain and let cool.
- In a food processor or food mill, puree the pulp.
fruit pulp, sugar, lemon juice, confectioners
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/sephardic-fruit-paste-candies-dulce-de-fruta-103993 (may not work)