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What is Confit?

Cathy Rogers
Cathy Rogers

Confit refers to a particular preparation of a food, usually a meat like duck, preserved by being salted and cooked slowly in its own fat. It can also be also a condiment made from fruit or vegetables cooked to the consistency of jam. Common non-meat confit foods, include garlic or lemons, cooked and preserved in a fat like oil or lard.

A specialty of Gascony, France, the cooked meat used for confit is packed into a pot or crock and covered with fat. The fat seals and preserves the meat and is typically discarded before serving. Once preserved, and stored properly in a sealed container in the refrigerator, it usually keeps for about six months. Originally, peasants used this method to preserve meats to avoid the expense associated with refrigeration.

Meats, most often duck, goose, or pork, preserved in this method are often considered a delicacy. Confit d'oie is preserved goose and confit de canard is preserved duck. The meat in these dishes is moist and delicate.

Duck legs, a type of red meat.
Duck legs, a type of red meat.

Because the preparation method also creates a salty taste, it is wise to serve confit with something sweet or soure. Often, the meat is eaten as is, accompanied by side dishes like beans, potatoes, or green salad. In France, the meat is used in stews and cassoulets. Alternatively, it can be added to other dishes, for example to flavor risotto. Salmon and tuna can also be preserved in this manner.

Whole cherries can be preserved with sugar to make confit.
Whole cherries can be preserved with sugar to make confit.

Other confits are made from fruit, not meat. Fruit confit is similar to fruit jams and unlike meat confit, fruit confit is preserved in sugar, not fat. Small fruits, such as cherries, may be preserved in sugar or honey. Larger fruits, such as apples, melons, pears, or peaches, can also be preserved but because it is time consuming to preserve larger fruits, they can be more expensive. A lemon confit creates a nice condiment for cakes.

Garlic is a common non-meat confit food.
Garlic is a common non-meat confit food.

There are other versions of confit that are acidic — tomatoes may be preserved in vinegar, for example. Onion confit, which is similar to caramelized onions, is prepared with sugar and balsamic vinegar and may be used as a condiment for steak or chicken, or to enhance the flavor of pasta, mashed potatoes, or curry. It complements pizza and goat cheese as well. A shallot confit, or one made of tomatoes and oranges, creates a pleasant condiment for fish. One made with garlic can be served over lamb or vegetables.

Discussion Comments

summing

I had never really eaten much French food until I spent a week in Paris. On the first night there I went to a little bistro with my wife and had a duck confit dish that changed the way I thought about food.

It was one of the most decadent, succulent and dynamic dishes I have ever had. We actually went back to that bistro later in the week and I ate it again. When I got home I started studying French cooking and now make a duck confit of my own. It is still not up to the standards of the French themselves, but it gets better every time I make it.

Belted

I only really ever hear of duck confit. Are there other meats that are commonly used with this preparation? I guess whatever it is, it would have to be pretty fatty. Maybe beef or certain parts of a chicken?

anon130366

French Fries in duck fat! Damn that sounds good. As far as nutritional, would it be fair to say it's healthy?

raresteak

@pwcislo- I'm not certain of the terminology for that sort of substituting. However, I've noticed recently more and more restaurants are employing duck fat instead of butter for frying different menu items. Duck fat is extremely rich and offers a similar consistency to butter. Despite the similarities, duck fat actually offers a more nutritional makeup. If you are ever give the opportunity, I highly recommend trying hand-cut French fries fried in duck fat. Delicious!

pwcislo

What is the name of the process when butter substitutes for duck fat, etc.? Thanks.

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    • Duck legs, a type of red meat.
      By: Glen MacLarty
      Duck legs, a type of red meat.
    • Whole cherries can be preserved with sugar to make confit.
      By: Harris Shiffman
      Whole cherries can be preserved with sugar to make confit.
    • Garlic is a common non-meat confit food.
      By: Schlierner
      Garlic is a common non-meat confit food.
    • Fruit confit may be made using honey as a preserver.
      By: tetxu
      Fruit confit may be made using honey as a preserver.
    • Pears and other fruits may be preserved as confit.
      By: Jack Kunnen
      Pears and other fruits may be preserved as confit.
    • Salmon is often used as an ingredient in confit.
      By: SunnyS
      Salmon is often used as an ingredient in confit.
    • Confit-style cooking is specialty of Gascony, France.
      By: benkenogy
      Confit-style cooking is specialty of Gascony, France.