It seems like everybody is canning stuff this fall. I think a lot of people have time for gardening and tending to fruit, due to Covid giving us all more stay-at-home days.
One of our neighbours is an elderly gentleman (who has actually been in the neighbourhood longer than we have, which is saying something) who I have given jam and cookies in the past. He has reciprocated with cookies and other goodies, but this is the first time he has brought fruit to us!
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| Look at this big box of lovely ripe plums! |
Since I had never made jam with red plums before, I had to search for a recipe on the internet and in my canning books. I didn't find one that suited me, so I cobbled together this one from a couple of recipes.
5 cups sliced red plums
3 cups white sugar
1/2 cup water
Pretty basic, huh?
Combine in a big pot (I used a dutch oven) and heat over high heat until boiling, then reduce heat and continue to cook, stirring often, for about 30 minutes.
If your fruit is not so ripe as this, you can probably shorten the time (since there is more pectin in less-ripe fruit). Just do a gel check after about 20 minutes, to be sure.
When it looks like this, it should be ready!
I always use a water bath to jar my jams and jellies, so they won't spoil.
Ten minutes is long enough to make a good seal.
This jam has simple ingredients and is easy to make. Iain seems to find it his new favourite!
