Danish Fruit Soup (Fest Södsuppe)

 

 This is Mom's recipe-- the classic Olsson Christmas Eve fruit soup

• 8 c water
• 1 c sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 c tapioca (Mom uses Kraft Minute Tapioca. I've had success (and less stirring) with tapioca flour-- think I used 1/4 cup as it's denser than the minute tapioca. I have a giant bag if anyone wants some.)
• 1 c prunes
• 1/2 c raisins
• 1/2 orange, cut into small pieces (rind included*)
• 1/2 lemon, cut into small pieces (rind included*)
• 3 apples, cut into small pieces (include skin*)
• 3 peaches, cut into small pieces (I use canned)
• 2 sticks cinnamon

Bring water to a boil and reduce heat to medium;  add sugar and salt.

Gradually add tapioca, stirring constantly until dissolved.  (This takes quite a while and if you stop stirring it sticks badly to the bottom of the pan and creates lumps.) 

Add the rest of the fruit stirring frequently.

Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 1 hour.  (Usually I simmer it very low for longer, until it looks and tastes right.) 

Serve hot or cold.

Yield: 10 - 12 servings

*rind and skin don't dissolve so that part must be cut into tiny pieces.

This recipe was originally Danish BUT the Swedes make fruit soup as well.