Plum harvest

Agen plums

There are really too many hornets and wasps this year, enjoying a good plum feast every day in the garden. No choice but have to harvest the plums before fully matured, to reduce insects around. The plum are firm and mildly sweet only, not the best eating quality, so have to transform them into storable and more delicious formats.

Drying

drying plum

This is the simplest method to concentrate flavor, and easy to store. 

plum tart with semi dried plum and plum jam

Semi dried plums can be used in tart, together with a cooked plum jam.

Salted plum

A different flavor dimension, savory sour and sweet after pickling, then dried for easy storage. This can be eaten as a savory snack, especially on hot summer days to replenish electrolyte. 

dried salted plum

Pickling ingredients:

2% salt

2% Nigari (Magnesium chloride)

5 % brown sugar

Cut plums into halves and remove stones, mix with pickling ingredients for a day, then dry in machine. 

Spiced red wine plum

Infused in spiced red wine, then serve with yogurt or vanilla ice cream.

spiced red wine plum

1. Simmer red wine with brown sugar to sweeten, star anise, clove, cinnamon stick, all spices berries (similar to making mulled wine) for 5 minutes.

2. Add whole plums to warm through, around 1 minute. 

spiced red wine plum

3. Place plums in preserving jar, add a cup of whisky or rum, bring wine to boil, then pour into jar. Keep in cool place for at least 2 weeks before serving.