Plum Preserves

• • • Makes 1½ pints • • •

There’s a plum tree in our side yard that was planted by a previous owner. One year, out of nowhere, it produced a bumper crop of small but deliciously sweet plums with juicy red flesh, which I then turned into preserves. I’m afraid I’m not much of a fruit tree whisperer and the tree hasn’t produced a generous crop since, so I rely on plums from my local farmers’ markets. Spread this deliciously tart jam on toast or scones, or use it as a filling for Favorite Jam Crostata (page 105).

2 pounds (907 g) Santa Rosa or other red-fleshed plums

2¼ cups (450 g) sugar

Coarsely chopped zest and freshly squeezed juice of 1 small lemon

Equipment

3 sterilized ½-pint jars and their lids

Basic water-bath canning equipment (see page 15)

1 • Cut the plums in half and remove the pits. Cut each half into 4 pieces so that you have small chunks. Put the cut-up plums in a large nonreactive heavy-bottomed saucepan or preserving pot. Stir in the sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice, and let macerate at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours.

2 • Cook the fruit over medium-low heat, stirring, until the sugar is fully dissolved. Raise the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to a boil. Cook at a lively simmer, stirring often, until the mixture has thickened and turned several shades darker, 15 to 20 minutes. Watch out for spattering.

3 • Continue to boil until the mixture reaches 220°F and you can drag a path through the bottom of the pot with a silicone spatula. Or use the freezer plate method to test for doneness as described on page 83.

4 • Ladle the hot jam into the jars, leaving ¼ inch headspace. Wipe the rims clean if necessary with a clean, damp cloth, and screw the lids on the jars.

5 • Process the jars in a boiling-water bath for 10 minutes (see Water-Bath Canning, page 15). Remove the jars and set them upright on a clean kitchen towel. Let the jars cool to room temperature before storing in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year. Refrigerate after opening. Store any jars that fail to seal properly in the refrigerator and enjoy those first.