Hitlerszalonna

Hitlerszalonna (literally "Hitler's bacon") is a type of dense fruit jam that originated in Hungary during World War II. Despite its provocative name, it has nothing to do with bacon or meat. The name is a darkly humorous reference to the hardships of wartime, when food shortages were common and people had to make do with what was available.

The name implies that this fruit preserve was a substitute for real bacon during times of scarcity. Hitlerszalonna is essentially a dense, thick fruit paste made from a variety of fruits such as apples, pears, plums, or quinces. It is boiled down with sugar until it forms a solid, jelly-like consistency, much like a fruit leather or fruit cheese.

The mixture is cooked until it is very firm and can be sliced, similar to quince cheese or birsalma sajt. This compact block of fruit preserve could be easily stored and sliced, making it a practical food item during wartime. The product was often wrapped in paper or wax and eaten in small portions, typically spread on bread or eaten as a snack.

Its high sugar content and long shelf life made it valuable during times of rationing and limited access to fresh fruit or other foods. Nowadys, it goes by the name sütésálló lekvár (lit. ovenproof jam).