Mostarda di Cremona

Mostarda di cremona is a type of traditional fruit preserve used as a condiment in Italy. A jar of mostarda di cremona contains one or more varieties of fruit, either whole or cut into pieces. The fruit is cooked with simple syrup, honey, or grape must, and flavored with mustard oil or powdered mustard seed.

Typical fruits include grapes, figs, quinces, white watermelons, plums, oranges, pears, apples, peaches, tangerines, and cherries. The preserved fruit retains its original shape and is not mushy but firm, plump, and glistening, and has a distinctive flavor that is a blend of sweet, piquant, spicy, and pungent.

Hailing from the city of Cremona, this preserve is traditionally used in bollito misto, a dish of boiled meats which is typical of Northern Italy, and is also often added to pumpkin ravioli. Sometimes referred to as mostarda di frutta, mostarda di cremona often accompanies a variety of fish and meat dishes, cheeses, and charcuterie.