(Hungarian for 'Hitler bacon'), known in the modern day as ('ovenproof jam'), is a dense fruit jam that originated in the Kingdom of Hungary during World War II."Így például a mindenféle vegyes hullott gyümölcsből készült kemény tömblekvárt Hitler szalonnának nevezték." Interview of Deme Juliet (born Mailender [Nicholas] Juliet) Budapest, Hungary, Interviewer: Zsolt Boros December 2004 Centropa It was sold in brick shaped blocks held in a piece of paper, and was sliced like . Soldiers kept it in a case and it could be cooked with other foods. Photo of case and forum discussion In the modern day, is often sold in small portion cups. The term itself is considered slang and defined as something like 'tough fruit'.Szabó, Edina A magyar börtönszleng szótára (2008) (Hungarian dictionary of slang)
Etymology One possible source of this name derives from military rations given to soldiers of the Royal Hungarian Army. In armed conflicts under Austria-Hungary, Hungarian soldiers received normal bacon as part of their rations; the bacon was nicknamed "Kaiser-bacon", in reference to the Kaiser of Austria.
During World War II, Hungarian soldiers received rations from Nazi Germany, but often received fruit jam instead of bacon. The soldiers continued to refer to this as the emperor's bacon, and the "emperor" was Führer Adolf Hitler.
This expression has also appeared in a printed book.Ungváry, Krisztián. A magyar honvédség a második világháborúban. Budapest: Osiris, 2005. , page 177 When describing the Royal Hungarian Army's logistical situation at the Don River and before the Battle of Stalingrad, the account (as translated below into English) states that:
See also Turkish delight, a similar pectin based food Hungarian cuisine Hungary during World War II List of plum dishes Quince cheese
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