Fruit pieces served in sweet syrup. The earlier term was 'compost'


Original Receipt in 'The Book of Household Management', 1861, edited by Isabella Beeton (See Mrs.B)

COMPOTE OF DAMSONS.
1537. INGREDIENTS: 1 quart of damsons, 1 pint of syrup No. 1512.
Mode: Procure sound ripe damsons; pick the stalks from them, and put them into boiling syrup, made by recipe No. 1512. Simmer them gently until the fruit is tender, but not sufficiently soft to break; take them up, boil the syrup for 5 minutes; pour it over the damsons, and serve. This should be sent to table in a glass dish.
Time: About ΒΌ hour to simmer the damsons; 5 minutes to boil the syrup.
Average cost: 9d.
Sufficient: for 4 or 5 persons.
Seasonable: in September and October.