Geconfijte

Geconfijte is a culinary term used in Dutch-language cooking to describe foods prepared by confit, a method of preserving and cooking slowly in fat or sugar syrup. In this technique, ingredients are gently heated in fat or syrup at a low temperature, allowing flavors to intensify while moisture is retained. The term derives from French confire, with the Dutch prefix ge- turning the past participle into an adjective.

In meat cooking, geconfijte dishes typically involve duck, goose, or pork confit, where meat is cured with salt and herbs, then slowly cooked in rendered fat until tender. Fruit geconfijte refers to fruits cooked slowly in sugar syrup or honey until translucent and preserved; vegetables such as garlic or peppers can also be prepared confit.

Common implementations include duck confit (confit de canard), garlic confit, and candied fruits. The technique yields a rich texture and long shelf life when stored, covered in fat or syrup and kept cool. Modern kitchens may use olive oil or other fats for lighter confit variants, and vacuum-sealing can extend storage.

Geconfijte foods are often used as savory components in dishes, served atop greens, with potatoes, or as part of appetizers, and occasionally appear in desserts when using fruit confit. The term appears primarily in Dutch-language culinary writing and menus, reflecting the broader French culinary tradition of confit cooking.