Plum Conserves Recipe
๐ Cook Time: 40 minutes
๐ Prep Time: 25 minutes
๐ Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
๐ฅ Recipe Yield: 7 cups
๐ฝ๏ธ Servings: Makes about 7 cups
Description
This Plum Conserves recipe is not only delicious on pancakes and pork roasts, but it also makes for a delightful appetizer when paired with cream cheese and crackers or warmed brie. You can even get creative and incorporate it into a chocolate layer cake. Jar it up for a thoughtful homemade gift!
Ingredients
- 5 plums
- 3 cups sugar
- 1 orange
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup pecans
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1 | Prepare Ingredients: Wash and pit plums, then chop them into small pieces. Zest the orange and squeeze out its juice. |
| 2 | Combine Ingredients: In a large pot, combine chopped plums, sugar, orange zest, orange juice, raisins, and cinnamon. Stir well to mix. |
| 3 | Bring to Boil: Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring continuously until the sugar is completely dissolved. |
| 4 | Cook Rapidly: Continue to cook the mixture rapidly, stirring frequently, until it reaches the gelling point. This should take about 15 minutes of a rolling boil. |
| 5 | Add Pecans: Stir in the pecans and cook for an additional 5 minutes, making sure everything is well combined. |
| 6 | Prepare Jars: While the mixture is cooking, prepare your canning jars by washing them thoroughly with hot, soapy water. Place them in a large pot of simmering water to sterilize. |
| 7 | Fill Jars: Once the plum mixture is ready, carefully ladle it into the hot, sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace at the top. |
| 8 | Remove Air Bubbles: Use a wooden or plastic utensil to remove any air bubbles by running it along the sides of the jar. Add more conserve if needed to maintain the headspace. |
| 9 | Adjust Caps: Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp cloth to remove any residue. Place the lids and screw bands on the jars, making sure they are securely tightened. |
| 10 | Process Jars: Submerge the filled jars in a boiling water canner, ensuring they are covered with at least 1 inch of water. Process the jars for 15 minutes to seal them properly. |
| 11 | Cool and Store: Carefully remove the jars from the canner using jar lifters and place them on a clean, dry towel. Allow them to cool completely at room temperature. |
| 12 | Check Seals: After the jars have cooled, check the seals by pressing down on the center of the lid. If it doesn’t flex, the jar is sealed. Any unsealed jars should be refrigerated and consumed within a few weeks. |
| 13 | Store: Label your jars with the date and store them in a cool, dark place such as a cabinet or pantry. The Plum Conserves will develop richer flavors over time. |
| 14 | Serve: When ready to enjoy, chill the conserves in the refrigerator before serving. They are perfect on pancakes, as a topping for meats, with cheese and crackers, or even in baked goods like cakes. Enjoy! ๐๐๐ฐ |
This delightful Plum Conserves recipe is not only a great way to preserve the flavors of plums and oranges but also makes for a versatile and delicious addition to your pantry. Whether you’re spreading it on toast, pairing it with cheese, or gifting it to loved ones, these preserves are sure to be a hit! ๐
