Zuppa di frutta

A sweet fruit soup traditionally prepared during holidays and for various celebrations in Sweden, fruktsoppa is often served on the Swedish Christmas buffet. This dish is similar to a fruit compote, composed of a combination of dried fruits, usually prunes, apricots, and raisins, tart apple slices, lemon slices, water, cinnamon, tapioca, and sugar. Once cooked, the soup is poured into a bowl and traditionally served chilled, but it can also be served warm, at room temperature, or frozen, depending on the season. For added flavor, it can be drizzled with a small amount of rum or wine and flavored with a pinch of nutmeg or cloves. This delicious soup pairs well with whipped cream, ice cream, and a piece of pound cake. It is a dish regularly eaten in all Scandinavian countries, which is how several regional versions of it came about. The Swedish version usually calls for light fruits such as golden raisins, peaches, and pears, while the Norwegian version opts for darker fruits instead. Although it is generally considered a dessert, in Scandinavian countries, fruit soup is also commonly eaten as an appetizer, fruit salad, or even as a main course. In the past, Scandinavians regarded fruit soup as a nourishing and easily digestible bed food, making it a custom to present a new mother with a bowl of this dish to help her gain strength. Today, there are many different recipes for fruit soups, calling for various types of dried, canned, or store-bought fruit.