Coufidou Agen Prunes Stuffed with Armagnac Mousse

The stuffed prunes of Agen, France (Pruneaux d’Agen Fourrés Saveur Armagnac) are a classic holiday delicacy revered by prune lovers all over Europe. Tender Agen prunes are de-pitted and generously filled with a smooth purée of their own fruit sweetened with Armagnac, a brandy from the French region of the same name.

In France, these prunes are enjoyed as a dessert, served with Armagnac or Banyuls wine at the end of a meal. Rich caramel notes balanced by a touch of acidity also make these prunes a delicious accompaniment to cooked game, Epoisses and other mold-ripened cheeses.

Coufidou is a co-op of 80 small Agen prune farmers and producers in the area of Sainte Livrade-sur-Lot in southwestern France. Agen prunes are a unique variety of plum known for being very sweet, but not very juicy and therefore, perfect for dehydrating and preserving. In 1992, the Agen prune was granted L’Indication géographique protégée (IGP) status by the French government to protect against imposters.