Compote - Fruit Soup

Rosh Hashanah will be here before we know it, which is why I’m sharing a traditional Jewish dessert recipe that is a lighter option after having a heavy, sweet holiday meal.

What is Compote?

If you have never heard the word Compote (or Kompot), all you need to know is that it is a fruit soup. It originates in Eastern European countries and therefore, it is part of the Ashkenazi kitchen. Each family usually has their own version of it. The word Compote means “mixture" in French and as such, it is a mixture of sweet fruits cooked in water and spices.

This sweet drink is served as a dessert. In my family during high holidays, we usually have Compote. It fits Passover since its gluten-free and on Rosh Hashanah (or Sukkot), it’s a lighter sweet dish to have after the festive sweet heavy dinner.

How to make Compote?

To make the Compote, you will need an apple, cinnamon stick, dried fruits, sugar, and water. In general, any fruit fresh or dried can work for this dish and the sweetness levels depend on you. If you don’t want it very sweet, you can omit the sugar completely or add less of it. The only spice I use is cinnamon because this is the traditional recipe my family has used for years. In other recipes that I saw online, they added vanilla extract or paste lemon/orange peel, you can use whatever your family likes. I used a cinnamon stick, but you can use cinnamon powder as well.

The Compote can be served warm or cold, we usually have it cold. It is more refreshing this way and during Rosh Hashanah, while it is still hot because it’s the end of summer, you want something refreshing.

The process of making the compote is pretty simple - just put all ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil. Then simmer for 30-40 minutes and that's it - you can have a sip ☺

As a kid, I used to like only the water and leave the cooked fruits but now I learned to enjoy the soft sweet fruits too. I read that some families blend it to a unified batter, maybe I will give it a try too if I have any leftovers!

Other Rosh Hashanah recipes on my blog:
Honey Cake
Nondairy Apple Tart
Apple Bars
Parve Apple and Honey Cake
Honey Buns
Simanim Salad
Beet Cake
Apple and Honey Cookies
Beet Carpaccio
Lentil Carrot Soup
Carrot Quiche
Ricotta and Honey Tart
Silan Date Syrup Cake
Apple Oat Cake
Apple Cinnamon Rosh Hashanah Challah
Vegan Carrot Muffins
Cooked Carrot Salad
Apple Muffins
Root vegetable salad
Apple Honey Cake (Gluten Free & Dairy Free)
Gluten Free Honey Cake

Let's get started making this perfect compote: