Balkan Delight Slatko

Ingredients

• 500g (2 cups) strawberries 500g (2 cups) strawberries
• 500g (2 cups) peaches 500g (2 cups) peaches
• 500g (2 cups) cherries 500g (2 cups) cherries
• 500g (2 cups) sugar 500g (2 cups) sugar
• 1 lemon, juiced 1 lemon, juiced
• 1 cinnamon stick 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 vanilla bean 1 vanilla bean

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 150 kcal / 628 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 0g, 0g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 38g, 35g
• Protein: 1g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Wash and hull the strawberries. Peel and pit the peaches, then cut them into small chunks. Remove the stems and pits from the cherries.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, combine the fruits, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon stick, and vanilla bean.
3. 3.
   Place the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
4. 4.
   As the fruits soften and the syrup thickens, continue to stir gently to prevent sticking or burning.
5. 5.
   Once the fruits are tender and the syrup has thickened to a desired consistency, remove the pot from the heat and let it cool.
6. 6.
   Transfer the Slatko into sterilized jars and seal tightly. Store in a cool, dark place.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Strawberries — Make sure to choose ripe and sweet strawberries for the best flavor.
• Peaches — Use slightly firm peaches that are not overly ripe to maintain their shape during cooking.
• Cherries — Opt for fresh cherries with a deep red color and firm texture.

Tips & Tricks

• You can customize the combination of fruits according to your preference and seasonal availability.
• Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less sugar, depending on your taste.
• For a more intense flavor, you can add a splash of rosewater or orange blossom water to the syrup.

Serving advice

Serve Slatko in small bowls or jars as a sweet treat after a meal. It pairs wonderfully with a cup of hot tea or coffee.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, garnish the Slatko with a sprig of fresh mint or a dusting of powdered sugar. Serve it on a decorative platter or individual dessert plates.