Recipes
Fresh Fruit Macedonia with Mock Limoncello
Syrup Macedonia di Frutte Fresche con Sciroppo di Limoncello Makes 8 dessert servings
Recipe by chef David Shalleck
By consensus, Italy’s best-known fruit salad is named after the country of Macedonia, the first province of the Roman Empire, as a dedication to the many different people who have inhabited its territory throughout history. The mixture of fruits given here is a suggestion for choosing the best the season has to offer. Limoncello, the ubiquitous southern Italian digestivo made by infusing a clear liquor, sugar, and lemon peel, is the inspiration for this very refreshing syrup.
Ingredients
For the syrup:
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon grappa
1/2 cup sugar
Strips of peel from 1/2 lemon
For the fruit salad:
2 large (about 1 1/4pounds) white peaches
2 large (about 1 pound) nectarines
3 large (about 1 pound) plums
4 to 6 (about 3/4 pound) apricots
1 pint strawberries, washed, stemmed and cored
1/2 pint blueberries
Instructions
To make the syrup, heat the water and grappa in a small nonreactive saucepan over medium heat. Add the sugar. Stir to dissolve. Add the lemon peel. When the liquid comes to a boil, lower the heat to produce a slow, even boil and cook for a few minutes. Cool. Cover and keep refrigerated. The syrup can be held for up to a week.
To make the fruit salad, minimal handling of the each fruit is important so as not to bruise since they will be mixed together when the syrup is added and will make for a better presentation. Cut the peaches and nectarines to remove the pits, then cut into 3/4-inch pieces. Cut the plums and apricots to remove the pits, then cut into thin wedges. Halve or quarter the strawberries, depending on their size. Place the blueberries on top. Cover and keep refrigerated up to 3 hours before serving.
For serving, take the fruit out of the refrigerator an hour before serving. Just before serving, remove the lemon peel from the syrup and pour over the fruit. Toss gently to coat the fruit with the syrup but do not over mix. Serve immediately.
Copyright © 2007 by David Shalleck
From the book Mediterranean Summer by David Shalleck, published by Broadway Books, a division of Random House, Inc. Reprinted with permission.