What is "varenye"

Varenye or varenie is a traditional whole-fruit preserve, widespread in Eastern Europe ( Russia, Ukraine, Belarus). It is made by cooking berries, other fruits, or more rarely nuts, vegetables, or flowers, in sugar syrup. In some traditional recipes, other sweeteners such as honey or treacle are used instead of or in addition to sugar.

Varenye is similar to jam except the fruits are not macerated, and no gelling agent is added. It is characterized by a thick but transparent syrup having the natural colour of the fruits.