Comfit
|
Licorice comfits | |
| Type | Confectionery |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | Dried fruits, nuts, seeds or spices, sugar candy |
 Cookbook: Comfit  Media: Comfit | |
Comfits are confectionery consisting of dried fruits, nuts, seeds or spices coated with sugar candy, often through sugar panning. Almond comfits (also known as "sugar almonds" or "Jordan almonds") in a muslin bag or other decorative container are a traditional gift at baptism and wedding celebrations in many countries of Europe and the Middle East, a custom which has spread to other countries such as Australia and Puerto Rico. While licorice comfits (also known as torpedoes because of their shape) are multi-coloured, almond comfits are usually white for weddings but may be brightly coloured for other occasions.
A late medieval recipe for comfits[1] is based on anise seeds, and suggests also making comfits with fennel, caraway, coriander, and diced ginger. These aniseed comfits seem to be a precursor of modern aniseed balls.
French almond comfits for a baptism
Red almond comfits called "Confetti rossi" are used in Italy to celebrate the conferring of a degree.
See also
References
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- British Library, Harleian collection, BL MS Harley. 2378. Composite Miscellany of Medical, Culinary and Alchemical Texts and Recipes. late 14th-15th cent..