Kandírozott

Kandírozott refers to a food preservation technique and the resulting product in Hungarian cuisine. The process involves slowly cooking fruits or vegetables in sugar syrup until they are translucent and firm. This method effectively preserves the food by drawing out moisture and replacing it with sugar, which inhibits microbial growth.

The fruits or vegetables are typically cut into pieces and simmered in a concentrated sugar solution. As the liquid evaporates and the sugar penetrates the food, a crystalline texture develops. Often, the process is repeated with increasingly concentrated sugar syrups over several days to achieve the desired firmness and sweetness. Some fruits, like cherries, apricots, and oranges, are commonly kandírozott.

Kandírozott items are used in various ways. They can be eaten as a sweet treat on their own, often coated in additional sugar. They are also frequently incorporated into baked goods, cakes, pastries, and confectionery. In Hungary, they are a popular addition to Christmas stollen and other festive desserts, adding both sweetness and texture. The term can also refer to candied peel, which is used for flavoring. The process is similar to candying in other cultures, but "kandírozott" is the specific Hungarian term for this preparation.