Canning, freezing and drying all work well with plums, allowing you to savor the fresh, sweet taste of the fruits long after harvest. To dry plums, first wash them, halve them, and remove and dispose of the pits.
What can I do with large amounts of plums?
Instead, read on, and learn how you should be using your plums in a variety of delicious and imaginative ways:
- Spiced Plum Custard Cake.
- Brown Sugar Plum Clafoutis.
- Upside Down Plum Cake.
- Plum Cobbler.
- Asian Plum Sauce.
- Plum Jam Recipe.
- Easy Plum Chutney.
- Fresh Plum and Oat Muffins.
How do you deal with a glut of plums?
Jam or chutney is a useful way to use up a plum glut. Jam is delicious inside Victoria sponges or sandwiched between uncooked shortbread layers to make a tea-time treat. It’s super-easy to whip up, too.
What do you do with plums off the tree?
Like other stone fruits, plums complete their ripening cycle off the tree, which is why they are typically picked when still firm. In order to enjoy plums at their best, you should store them on the counter at room temperature until they’ve ripened fully.
Can you eat plums straight from the tree?
Plums are delicious and sweet eaten straight from the tree and fruit trees are so easy to grow, once you buy one, plant it all it needs is a little water when the weather is dry and it will produce lovely fruit for you for years to come.
Can you freeze whole plums?
The sliced freezing method is great for storing frozen plums for an extended period of time, but one of our favorite summer hacks is freezing our plums whole. All you need to do is wash the plums and place the whole fruits in a plastic bag in the freezer.
Can plums be frozen?
Besides sharing the harvest with friends and family, the easiest way to deal with the extra fruit is to freeze ripe plums. Freezing them allows you to keep the fresh flavor of ripe summer plums so you can enjoy them later in the year.
How long can you freeze plums for?
Put the plum slices in a freezer storage bag and freeze.
Dry-frozen slices of plum will keep in the freezer for up to 6 months. To keep plums for longer than 6 months, you need to pack them in syrup to prevent freezer burn.
Can you dehydrate plums?
Wash plums and remove pits and stems. Cut plums into the segment that you prefer. Place with the skin down on dehydrator trays. Dry at 135°F / 57°C for 10-18+ hours.
Can dogs eat plums?
The ASPCA’s database of toxic plants lists plum trees as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses because of the cyanide content. Again, the main risk comes from the stem, leaves, and roots of the tree, and the pit of the fruit.
How do you preserve plums?
The easiest method is to slice and pit the plums, then lay them in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, skin-side down. Pop the sheet into the freezer. Once the slices are hard, transfer them to a freezer bag.
Do plums get sweeter after picking?
Plums are picked before they’re ripe and will ripen if allowed to sit on the countertop for a few days. You can also speed up the process by placing them in a brown paper bag. Does a plum’s flavor change as it ripens? Unlike bananas and peaches, plums do not become noticeably sweeter as they ripen, only softer.
How do you freeze fresh plums?
Method #1: How to Dry Freeze Plums
- Pick The Ripest Plums. Make sure plums are ripe before buying or picking them.
- Wash Them.
- Slice Into Wedges.
- Spread on a Baking Sheet.
- Place in Freezer Until Firm.
- Put Them in a Freezer Bag.
- Add Moisture Back.
- Make Sure Plums Are Ripe & Clean.
Are plum trees poisonous?
Clinical Signs: Stems, leaves, seeds contain cyanide, particularly toxic in the process of wilting: brick red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting, shock.
Can you eat plums from a tree with black knot?
Can you eat plums and fruit from trees with black knot? Because the disease only affects the tree’s wood, it’s A-OK to eat fruit from trees with black knot. But as always, check that the fruit is fresh before digging in.
How can you tell if a plum is edible?
You’ll know when the plums are ripe because they will come away from the tree very easily. It’s fine to pick them when they’re slightly underripe and leave them to soften for a few days at home.
How do you pit plums?
Take a clean plum in hand. Make sure the stem end is facing upward. Push the end of your wooden spoon into the stem’s indent, forcing it through the length of your plum. Every time, the seed will burst out the other side, leaving you with whole, pitted fruit!
Do you skin plums before making jam?
Plums and nectarines should be peeled, as their skins can be tough / chewy in jam. If you do want to leave the skins in, you might want to run the fruit through a blender or food processor to chop them up (after you remove the pits, of course).
How do you dry plums in the oven?
Directions
- Heat oven to 250 degrees. Cut plums in half lengthwise and remove pits. Cut halves into 2-inch wedges.
- Arrange plums on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cut sides up, about an inch apart. Sprinkle liberally with fresh thyme. Leave to dry in oven 3 hours.
Are plums good for you?
Plums are chock full of fiber, which helps slow down a blood sugar spike after you eat carbs. They can also boost your body’s production of adiponectin, a hormone that helps regulate your blood sugar levels. Bone health. Research on animals shows prunes (dried plums) may help reduce bone loss, and may even reverse it.
Can you preserve plums without sugar?
Syrup for Canning Plums
As with most fruits, the liquid for canning plums can be a wide variety of syrups or juices, depending on your preference. It’s perfectly fine to can plums in just plain water, and that’s a great option for people hoping to can without added sugar.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.