Find out how to preserve plums for long-term storage so you can enjoy them all year round.
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Why preserve plums?
Plums are a fruit that come into season in the late summer and early fall. If you have an abundance of plums, you may want to preserve them for long-term storage. Preserving plums is a simple process that can be done in a few different ways.
There are several reasons why you may want to preserve plums. Plums can be expensive to buy out of season, so preserving them can save you money in the long run. Preserved plums also make a great addition to baked goods or as a topping for oatmeal or ice cream.
There are a few different methods of preserving plums. You can freeze them, dry them, or make them into jam.
To freeze plums, wash them and remove the pits. Place the plums on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and put them in the freezer. Once they are frozen, transfer the plums to a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen plums will last for up to 6 months.
To dry plums, wash them and remove the pits. Cut the plums into slices about ¼ inch thick. Place the plum slices on a dehydrator tray and dehydrate at 145 degrees Fahrenheit until they are leathery but still flexible, about 6-8 hours. Dried plums will last for up to 1 year stored in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
To make plum jam, wash and remove the pits from 2 pounds of plums. Cut the plumbs into quarters and place them in a pot with ¼ cup of water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once the mixture is boiling, add 1 pound of sugar and stir until it is dissolved. Turn down the heat and let the jam simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour the jam into jars and seal with lids. Plum jam will last for up to 1 year stored in a cool, dark place
What supplies do you need?
In order to preserve plums for long-term storage, you will need the following supplies:
-A clean, food-safe container with a lid (a mason jar works well)
-A clean, sharp knife
-A cutting board
Wash your hands thoroughly before beginning. You will also want to sterilize your container and lid by boiling them for 5 minutes. Let them cool before proceeding.
How to pick the perfect plum
This guide will show you how to pick the perfect plum for long-term storage.
Keywords: plums, storage, picking, ripe
Picking the perfect plum is important if you want to store them for a long period of time. You’ll want to look for plums that are ripe, but not overripe. Overripe plums will not last as long in storage.
The best way to wash your plums
If you’re planning to store your plums for more than a couple of days, it’s important to wash them properly to prevent spoilage. Here’s the best way to wash your plums for long-term storage:
1. Fill a clean sink or large bowl with cool water.
2. Add your plums to the water and gently swish them around.
3. Use a soft brush to remove any dirt or debris from the surface of the fruit.
4. Carefully remove the plums from the water and place them on a clean towel to dry.
5. Once the plums are dry, gently rub off any remaining dirt or debris.
6. Place the clean, dry plums in a single layer on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer for 24 hours. This will help them keep their shape and prevent them from bruising during storage.
7. After 24 hours, transfer the frozen plums to an airtight container or freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months.
How to cut and prepare your plums for preservation
Assuming you have already gathered or purchased your plums, the first step is to wash them thoroughly. Plums can be stored whole, but for longer shelf-life, it is recommended to cut them into smaller pieces. Cut the plums into halves or quarters, and remove the pit in the center. If you are planning to can your plums, make sure to cut them into uniform sizes so that they will fit nicely into your jars.
Once your plums are cut and pitted, you can begin the preservation process. There are a few different methods for preserving plums, including canning, freezing, and drying. Canning is a good option if you want to be able to store your plums for a long period of time; however, it does require some special equipment and knowledge. If you are new to canning, it is recommended that you start with a small batch to get the hang of the process before moving on to a larger batch of plums.
Freezing is a simpler method of preservation, and does not require any special equipment. Simply place your prepared plums onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and put them in the freezer. Once frozen solid, you can transfer the plums to an airtight freezer-safe container or bag. Frozen plums will last for several months in the freezer.
Drying is another option for long-term storage of plums. This method will produce dried fruit that is similar in taste and texture to store-bought dried fruit snacks. To dry your own plums at home, start by Preheat oven to 170 degrees F (77 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat and spread out your quartered plum slices on the sheet. Make sure that the slices are not touching each other so that they will dry evenly. Bake in preheated oven for 2-3 hours or until completely dried out. Once dried, store in an Airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 months
The two methods of preserving plums
There are two methods of preserving plums for long-term storage: freezing and canning. Canning is the best way to preserve the nutritional value, taste, and texture of plums, but it requires more time and effort than freezing.
To freeze plums, wash them thoroughly and remove any bruised or damaged areas. Cut the plums in half and remove the pits. Place the prepared plums on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and put them in the freezer. Once frozen, transfer the plums to a freezer bag or container. Frozen plums will keep for up to six months.
To can plums, start by boiling a large pot of water. Wash the jars and lids thoroughly with hot soapy water and rinse well. Place the jars in the boiling water for 10 minutes to sterilize them. Boil the lids for 5 minutes. Remove the jars from the pot with tongs and place them on a towel to dry.
Fill each jar with prepared plums, leaving 1/2 inch of headspace at the top of the jar. Add boiling water to each jar, covering the plums completely and again leaving 1/2 inch of headspace. Use a chopstick or other non-metallic object to release any air bubbles that may be trapped in the jar. Wipe the rims of each jar clean with a damp towel and place a lid on top, screwing on each lid tightly.
Place all of the jars back into the pot of boiling water (making sure they are covered by at least an inch of water) and process for 20 minutes. Carefully remove each jar from the pot with tongs and place them on a towel to cool completely before storing in a cool, dark place for up to one year
Water bath canning plums
Plums are a delicate fruit that can be difficult to preserve for long-term storage. The best way to preserve plums is by water bath canning them. This process will kill any bacteria or mold that could cause the plums to spoil.
Here are the steps for water bath canning plums:
1. Start by sterilizing your canning jars and lids. You can do this by boiling them in a large pot of water for 10 minutes.
2. While the jars and lids are boiling, wash your plums thoroughly. Cut out any bruises or bad spots on the fruit.
3. Pit the plums and cut them into small pieces if desired.
4. Make a light syrup by boiling sugar and water in a ratio of 1:1 for 5 minutes.
5. Add the plums to the boiling syrup and stir gently until coated.
6. Use a ladle to transfer the plums and syrup into the sterilized jars, leaving ½ an inch of headspace at the top of each jar.
7. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean cloth to remove any syrup or plum juices that might have splashed onto them.
8. Place a lid on each jar and tighten it until snug but not too tight.
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Pressure canning plums
Assuming you have a bountiful plum crop or you’ve been lucky enough to snag a good deal at the farmer’s market, you may be wondering how to go about preserving plums for long-term storage. Canning is one option, pressure canning plums in particular.
This method of food preservation involves sealing plums (and other fruits or vegetables) in jars or cans and then boiling them in water or steam. The high temperature kills bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause spoilage. Pressure canning also ensures that any air present in the sealed container is removed, further preventing food spoilage.
If you’re new to pressure canning, there are a few things you should know before getting started. First, make sure you have the right equipment. You’ll need a pressure canner, jars, lids, and rings. You can purchase all of these items online or at your local hardware store.
Next, familiarize yourself with the process. Pressure canning can seem daunting at first, but it’s really not complicated once you get the hang of it. There are just a few steps involved: preparing your jars, filling them with fruit (or other food), adding liquid (usually water), placing the lid on the jar, and then boiling everything in the pressure canner.
Once you’ve canned your plums (or other fruit), be sure to store them in a cool, dark place. A root cellar or pantry are both good options. Canned fruit will last for one year when stored properly.
Storing your preserved plums
Assuming you have already picked or purchased your plums, you will want to wash them before beginning the preserving process. Once they are clean, you can either cut them in half or leave them whole. If you are planning on using them in a recipe that calls for diced plums, then it is best to go ahead and dice them now.
Once your plums are ready, it is time to pick apreserving method. Some of the most common methods are canning, freezing, and dehydrating. All of these methods will require different supplies and steps, so be sure to read the instructions carefully before beginning.
Canning is a great option if you want to be able to store your plums for a long period of time. The process of canning plums is relatively simple and only requires a few supplies: canning jars, lids, rings, a boiling-water canner, and a funnel. Be sure to sterilize your jars and lids before beginning by submerging them in boiling water for at least 10 minutes.
Fill your jars with plums, leaving about ½ an inch of headspace at the top of each jar. To do this, you may need to pack the plums in tightly so that they fit snugly into the jar. You may also need to add syrup or water to the jars depending on the recipe you are using. Once the jars are full, use a funnel to pour syrup or water over the plums (if needed), and then screw on the lids and rings until they are finger-tight.
Place the jars in your boiling-water canner making sure that they are completely submerged under water. Process pint jars for 25 minutes and quart jars for 30 minutes at altitudes up to 1,000 feet above sea level. Be sure to adjust processing times if you live at a higher altitude. After processing is complete, remove the jars from the canner and set them on a towel or cooling rack to cool completely overnight before checking seals and storing in a cool, dark place.
Freezing is another popular option for preserving plums because it is quick and easy and does not require any special equipment other than freezer-safe containers or bags. Simply wash and prepare your plums as desired then place them in freezer-safe containers or bags ensuring that there is no more than ½ an inch of headspace at the top of each container or bag. For optimal quality, use frozen plums within 9-12 months.
Dehydrating plums is a great way to preserve them if you want something that will last even longer than frozen fruit but takes up less space than canned fruit. Dehydrators come in all shapes and sizes; however, they all work by circulating hot air over food causing moisture to evaporate more quickly than it would at room temperature – which makes dehydrating foods much faster than waiting for them to air dry naturally (a process which could take days). Dehydrators also often come with trays that allow you make fruit leathers or jerky – both of which have longer shelf lives than dried fruit alone!
To dehydrate plums using an electric dehydrator: wash and prepare fruit as desired then slice into evenly thickness pieces (¼ inch thick slices work well). Arrange sliced fruit on dehydrator trays (you may need multiple trays depending on how much fruit you have) making sure that pieces are not touching one another – overcrowding will impede airflow and slow down drying time significantly! Follow manufacturer’s instructions for dehydrating times; however,, most fruits will take 4-6 hours to fully dry out – Russian prunes may take up to 8 hours due their high sugar content! Once dried out,, transfer fruit Leathers,, store in an airtight container in’a cool,, dark place,, whole pieces should be stored loose in an airtight container lined with wax paper (this will prevent sticking). Both will keep for 6-12 months when stored properly!
Serving your preserved plums
Plums are a delicious fruit that can be enjoyed year-round with proper preservation. To enjoy your plums after canning or freezing, simply remove them from storage and allow them to thaw or come to room temperature.
If you have preserved your plums in sugar syrup, you may want to rinse them before serving to remove any excess sweetness. Serve your plums whole, cut into slices, or diced as part of a fruit salad or compote. You can also use them as a topping for pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, or yogurt. Experiment and enjoy!
