Plethora of Plums

[Jamsoundsgood]

So, my golden plum tree bore fruit for the first time since we moved into the house four years ago and after 36 quarts of jam I'm a little stumped as to how to preserve the rest of them. I don't think we have even gotten 1/3 of the plums yet. I think it's making up for not blossoming in five years. So, if anyone has any ideas in how else to deal with all of our bounty, (and yes the chickens do like them, but they can't eat all of them, they'll get sick

) I would really appreciate it. Thank you!

 

[MandyH]

Aw man, plum jelly is my absolute favorite!!!! Too bad you live a million miles away. My grandmother made THE best plum jelly from her trees, but she has gotten sick and doesn't make it anymore. Funny how you miss the little things isn't it? As for what to do with them, I have no clue. Plums are something I don't cook with really.

 

[Imp]

Can you dehydrate or freeze? I freeze all my fruit, just bought a new freezer a week age. The regular freezer is full of raspberries. Yesterday I cleaned and froze 33 pints of sliced peaches. Have a few more to go. The plums aren't ripe yet. they'll be in a week or two. Followed by apples and pears.

Imp

 

[Jamsoundsgood]

How do you freeze them?

 

[Imp]

Quote:
Depends on the fruit.

Raspberries- I wash, dry on paper towels then freeze in a single loose layer on non-stick sheetpans. Then I can put in ziplocks. Easy to pull out what I want.

Same with other berries & cherries.(I pit the cherries)

Peaches- This year I felt lazy so I didn't peel them. Just sliced up soaked for a couple minutes in water with a lot of salt and lemon. Drained in a colander. Then froze in sandwich sized ziplocks. I checked when I got up this morning and they froze without any discoloration. I do expect that they may brown up a little when I thaw, so they are better eaten slushy or put in a recipe. It was so fast yesterday morning.

Plums- about the same except I cut in half. I have the Italian Prune variety, so discoloration doesn't matter so much with the dark purple.

Imp

 

[JennsPeeps]

Plum sauce
Plum chutney
Stewed plums
Spiced plums
BBQ sauce
Plum cordial

Look here for ideas: http://www.recipezaar.com/recipes.php?s_type=/recipes.php&q=plum&Search=Search

 

[Jamsoundsgood]

THanks guys! I knew I could get answers fast here. Even before my helper came for the day!

I love this site!

 

[zoomia]

And there's always plum butter too--basically make it like apple butter. It's a great ingredients for marinades, bbq sauces, etc. too.

 

[Nifty-Chicken]

We've been making plum freezer jam annually from our tree since I can remember (at least 30 years).

We still do it every year with our girls. Here they are grinding the plums (with the same grinder I use to use when I was their age)

 

[Jamsoundsgood]

Mmmmm...plum butter, I have to try that.

Nifty, that picture of your girls is so cute. My kiddoes are just starting to get old enough to help with the jam making. Mostly they just eat it. They went through a whole pint today!