Slatko is a type of fruit preserve from Serbia. The word “sweet” comes from the Serbo-Croatian language. Slatko can be made from almost any fruit, but plum is one of the most popular. Strawberries, cherries, and blueberries are all excellent choices. After a meal, guests are traditionally served slatko by the spoonful or with coffee.
Slatko has a consistency that is somewhere between jam and syrup, similar to any type of fruit preserves. It can be used as a topping for pancakes or waffles, as well as a bread spread. Slatko contains whole pieces of fruit, unlike jam and most syrups, but like many preserves.
The main ingredients in this preserve are sugar, citric acid or lemon juice, and the fruit of your choice. Water is also necessary. If plums are used, walnuts are frequently added; this combination is thought to be aphrodisiac.
Slatko is usually made with nearly equal amounts of sugar and fruit. If citric acid is used, it must first be dissolved in water before the fruit can be soaked for about an hour. When lemon juice is used, it is usually added later in the cooking process and the fruit is not soaked beforehand.
Water and sugar are boiled together until a syrupy mixture forms. The fruit is then added, and the mixture is allowed to continue to boil. Foam will usually form on top of the mixture, which must be skimmed off and discarded. If lemon juice is used, it should be added while the fruit is still boiling.
Fruit that needs to be skinned, pitted, or cored, such as plums, is usually boiled first before being added to the syrup. Boiling loosens the skin, making it easier to peel the fruit. The fruit’s skins, pits, and seeds are removed after it has been boiled.
The heat is turned down and the dish is allowed to simmer once the fruit has boiled. Finally, the pan is taken off the heat and covered overnight to allow the fruit mixture to cool. The slatko is then placed in canning jars and sealed once it has cooled. Slatko that has been properly canned will last for months.
Although the amount of fruit in slatko usually corresponds to the amount of sugar used, this isn’t always the case. Fruits that are sweeter require less sugar than those that are tart. Furthermore, the cook’s preferences may influence how much sugar is added and, as a result, how sweet the finished slatko is.