Maitre Prunille Agen Pitted Prunes 500g

Pitted Prunes

Rich, sweet and wonderfully soft, Maitre Prunille Agen Pitted Prunes 500g are a delicious example of why French Agen prunes are so highly regarded. Grown in the Aquitaine region of South-West France, these traditional French dried plums have a deep, almost black colour, tender amber flesh and a naturally sweet flavour with lovely caramel-like notes.

Unlike some dried fruits that can be quite firm or chewy, Agen prunes are known for their moist, succulent texture. With the stones already removed, they're ready to enjoy straight from the pack or use in everything from traditional French desserts to rich, slow-cooked savoury dishes.

Their natural sweetness works beautifully alongside pork, duck and game, particularly in casseroles and braised dishes where the fruit softens into the cooking juices. They're equally delicious chopped into fruit cakes, simmered into a compote or paired with blue cheese and walnuts for a simple cheeseboard accompaniment. For a proper taste of French baking, try using them in a classic Far Breton, the traditional custard-style cake from Brittany.

At i4C, we love ingredients that work just as well in sweet recipes as they do in savoury cooking. These pitted Agen prunes are particularly handy for adding a little richness to autumn and winter dishes, although they're just as tempting enjoyed with a spoonful of thick Greek yoghurt for breakfast.

Key Features:

• 500g pack of Maitre Prunille Agen Pitted Prunes.
• Approximately 44–55 prunes per 500g pack.
• Grown in the Pruneaux d'Agen Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) area.
• Produced in the Aquitaine region of France.
• Made from 100% Agen prunes, with no additional ingredients.
• Conveniently pitted for easy preparation.
• Traditional French dried fruit speciality.

Recipe Inspiration:

• Traditional French Far Breton: Bake pitted Agen prunes in a vanilla-scented custard batter until golden and set for a classic Breton dessert.
• Pork & Prune Casserole: Slowly braise pork shoulder with Agen prunes, onions, thyme and a splash of cider for a rich, comforting dish with a gentle sweetness.
• Prune & Armagnac Chocolate Cake: Soak chopped prunes in a little Armagnac before folding them into a rich dark chocolate cake batter.
• Warm Prune & Blue Cheese Tartlets: Fill small puff pastry cases with chopped Agen prunes, blue cheese and toasted walnuts, then bake until golden and bubbling.

What makes Agen prunes different from ordinary prunes?

Agen prunes are traditionally produced from Ente plums grown and processed within a designated area of South-West France. Their Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status recognises this regional connection and the production requirements associated with the name. They're particularly prized for their naturally sweet flavour and characteristic fleshy texture.

Why are prunes traditionally paired with pork and duck in French cooking?

The sweetness of prunes provides a lovely contrast to the richness of pork and duck, creating a balance of savoury and fruity flavours. As they cook, prunes absorb some of the surrounding liquid and release their natural sugars, helping create a richer, more rounded sauce. This sweet-and-savoury combination is particularly popular in traditional French country cooking.

Do you need to soak pitted prunes before baking with them?

Not necessarily. Soft, moist prunes can often be added directly to cakes, puddings and baked desserts. However, soaking them briefly in warm water, tea or a suitable cooking liquid can make them even plumper and introduce additional flavour. For recipes such as Far Breton, some traditional methods call for soaking the fruit before adding it to the batter.

Ingredients:

Agen prunes 100%

Allergens highlighted in BOLD.

Please be aware that ingredients, including allergens, are subject to change. At Infusions4chefs, we consistently update our product database and strive to provide accurate allergen information for each product. If you have concerns about allergens, we strongly advise checking the product label before using it.