Active Time

　　20 minutes

　　Total Time

　　1 hour

　　Use this all-purpose fruit compote to fill pastries, spoon over ice cream, or mix into smoothies.

　　

Ingredients

Makes about 6 cups

　　4 lb. strawberries, hulled, halved if large

　　3/4 cup granulated sugar

　　1/4 tsp. kosher salt

　　1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, and/or 4 strips lemon zest (optional)

　　1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

　　

Step 1

Combine strawberries, sugar, salt, and 1/4 cup water in a small pot. Scrape in vanilla seeds and add pod, or add lemon zest if using. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up strawberries with a wooden spoon at beginning of cooking, until fruit is tender and juices are thick enough to coat spoon, 40–45 minutes. Fish out vanilla pod and/or lemon zest, then stir in lemon juice.

　　

Step 2

Do Ahead: Compote can be made 5 days ahead. Let cool, then cover and chill.