Plum Preserves Recipe
🕒 Total Time: 55 minutes
🕒 Prep Time: 15 minutes
🕒 Cook Time: 40 minutes
🍽 Servings: 4-5 pints
Description:
Indulge in the sweet essence of freshly made Plum Preserves, a delightful treat that captures the essence of ripe plums, citrusy oranges, and zesty lemons. Bursting with flavor, this recipe uses pectin to achieve the perfect consistency, creating a spread that pairs perfectly with toast, scones, or your favorite baked goods.
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs plums
- 1 1/2 oranges
- 3/4 cup raisins
- 1 1/2 lemons
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 4 1/2 cups water
- 1/2 cup pectin
Instructions:
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Prepare Plums: Begin by washing the plums thoroughly under running water. Once clean, place them in a large pot and cover with water.
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Cook Plums: Bring the pot to a gentle boil over medium heat. Let the plums simmer until they become tender and easy to mash. This should take around 20-25 minutes.
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Remove Seeds and Chop: Once the plums are tender, remove them from the heat. Carefully remove the seeds and chop the plums into small pieces. You should end up with about 6 cups of plum pulp.
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Prepare Citrus and Raisins: Zest the oranges and lemons, making sure to collect the zest in a bowl. Juice the oranges and lemons as well. Add the zest and juice to the pot with the plum pulp. Toss in the raisins too.
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Sweeten the Preserves: Stir in the sugar, ensuring it blends well with the plum mixture. Continue to cook the mixture over medium heat. Stir frequently to prevent sticking or burning.
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Thicken the Preserves: As the mixture cooks, it will start to thicken and become glossy. This should take about 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on it, stirring occasionally.
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Add Pectin: Once the plum mixture has thickened and reaches a clear, jam-like consistency, it’s time to add the pectin. Sprinkle the pectin over the mixture and stir vigorously to combine.
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Incorporate Nuts: For an added crunch and depth of flavor, you can now add chopped nuts of your choice. Stir them into the preserves until evenly distributed.
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Sterilize Jars: While the preserves finish cooking, prepare your jars by washing them in hot, soapy water. Rinse well, then sterilize them by boiling in a large pot of water for 10 minutes. Allow them to air dry.
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Fill Jars: Carefully ladle the hot plum preserves into the sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace at the top. Wipe the rims clean with a damp cloth to ensure a proper seal.
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Seal Jars: Place the lids on the jars and tighten the bands securely. For added safety, you can process the jars in a boiling water canner for 10 minutes to create a vacuum seal.
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Cool and Store: Allow the jars to cool completely at room temperature. As they cool, you should hear a satisfying “pop” as the lids seal. Once cooled, store the plum preserves in a cool, dark place. They can be refrigerated for up to 3 weeks or canned for longer shelf life.
Serving Suggestions:
Spread this luscious Plum Preserves on warm toast, fresh scones, or fluffy pancakes. It also makes a delightful topping for yogurt or ice cream. Share jars with friends and family or keep them all to yourself for a sweet indulgence anytime!
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 1684.1
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 3.7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 356.9mg
- Carbohydrates: 371.9g
- Fiber: 16.4g
- Sugar: 328.9g
- Protein: 15.5g
Enjoy the goodness of homemade Plum Preserves, a delightful creation that captures the essence of summer in every spoonful! 🍑✨
