The cognà

Some call it jam, others grape must. In fact, this Langhe delicacy is between a juice and a jam. It is a preparation based on grapes and some other ingredients that can include renette apples, hazelnuts, a variety of pears called madernassa, dried figs, dried apricots, cloves, cinnamon, dried fruits (especially the round hazelnuts of the Langhe) and a little sugar. More or less this is the preparation, you have to bring all the ingredients to the boil with the must of the grapes and until this juice becomes a jam bittersweet. The cognà will keep in a terracotta jar for several months and is usually eaten with boiled meat, cheese or polenta.