Mostarda di Cremona (mustard fruits, Italy) (Source Getty)
On this week's Musical Menu Mostarda di Cremona a favourite of Verdi.
Violins aren't the only speciality of Cremona. The Northern-Italian town is also famed for its 'mostarda', a delicacy that was a particular favourite of Giuseppe Verdi. Whole fruits are candied in syrup, creating jewel-like colours and rich flavours. The composer was a regular visitor to Cremona – lunching, visiting family, stocking up on manuscript paper – and often used to buy the sweet and spicy treats to give to his friends at Christmas.
"Mostarda is a condiment in Italy - but it's NOT just a mustard. Rather, it is preserved fruit that does have mustard and mustard seed included as a flavouring
Mostarda di Cremona a favourite of Verdi
Ingredients
4 dried figs, cut 1/2 cubes
1unripe pear, peeled and cut 1/2 cubes
1⁄2cup dried apricots, cut 1/2 cubes
1⁄2cup dried cherries
1⁄2cup dried apple, cut 1/4 julienne
1 1⁄2cups dry red wine
1cup sugar
1⁄2cup honey
1⁄2cup prepared mustard
1⁄4cup mustard seeds, cracked
Method
1. Place figs, pear, apricots, cherries, and apples into a mixing bowl and stir to mix.
2. In a saucepan, heat wine, sugar and honey together until boiling. Boil for 3-4 minutes, or until slightly reduced and syrupy. Remove from heat and stir in mustard and seeds.
3. Pour over fruit and allow to steep 24 hours. Jar and refrigerate.