Thursday 25 September 2014

grow, forage, cook: plum jam




Plum jam is possibly my favourite. Although I don't think I've ever met a jam I don't like.

A little while ago, my lovely neighbour called one afternoon with three kilos of plums from his garden. To say I was delighted is an understatement. I knew I wanted to have a go at making plum jam. 'Don't let it go too long or you'll have toffee.' With Eric's advice ringing in my ears, I started jamming.

After taking a kilo of plums, halving them and removing the stones, I put them in my biggest saucepan and added 225ml of water. I simmered them gently over a medium heat for about 20 minutes until the fruit had softened.

While the plums simmered I warmed 700gms of granulated sugar in the oven. My granny warmed sugar for jam so that it dissolved more easily and didn't become grainy. I put it in the oven in a dish along with the jars which were sterilising on a low heat.

To the softened plums, I added the warm sugar and simmered for another 15 minutes. When the sugar dissolved completely I boiled the jam quickly for 10 minutes. I checked for 'set' using the cold plate method. When the jam reached setting point I took it off the heat, letting it cool slightly before pouring into sterilised jars. It's really lovely with freshly baked scones.

I attempted spiced plum jam with the remaining plums adding a teaspoon each of ground cinnamon and mixed spice. It tastes delicious but I either stirred it too much or didn't boil it for long enough so it never really set. I'm calling it confiture, a lovely soft set French jam and declaring it a success.

Have you been jamming this year? What's your favourite flavour?

Joining in with the lovely ladies at Circle of Pine Trees and Wolves in London for their 'grow, forage, cook' series.
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18 comments

  1. I've done plum jam before with our plums, but we didn't get as many this year. Maybe I'll try again next....?

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  2. My husband is rather fond (slight understatement) of jam making and so far this year has made strawberry, plum, damson, blackberry jams as well as a spicy chutney and damson jelly and apple jelly! He is also awaiting quinces to make quince jelly too. There's no stopping him! He also really likes giving the jams away to friends, family and work colleagues, so lots of people have been enjoying the fruit harvest.
    Your jam sounds delicious too.
    Best wishes and happy jam making
    Ellie

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  3. Oh yum I love plum jam and your sounds delicious. A lady I work with makes plum jam every year and it's so good.
    Marianne x

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  4. Plum jam is up there as a favourite jam for me too, so I understand your joy!!! I hope that you enjoy the jam and confiture!! xx

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  5. oh yum! I'm not sure I've ever even tasted plum jam, so clearly this needs to be rectified! x

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  6. Just blackberry down here.. I had notions of making apple butter but plastering the new house got in the way so I tarted the apples instead! I don't think I have ever tried plum jam... but I think I'd like it! Hazel x

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  7. Plum jam, yum! And I'm liking your thinking re. the spicy confiture :)

    Blackcurrant jam, crab apple or quince jelly for me ... I can't choose between them

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  8. Ooh yummy plummy! One of my favourites too, although I haven't actually made it myself. Did have a go at strawberry last season but I need more practise ;-)
    Happy weekend, lovely
    xx

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  9. Delicious. I had a few plums left recently and I made a jar and a half and it was absolutely gorgeous. I desperately need more plums now. I think plum jam is my favourite as well, the flavour is in a league of its own. I hope you have a good weekend. CJ xx

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  10. Plum jam WAS my most favourite until I made a big batch of blackcurrant jam in the summer and was blown away by the strong fruity flavour. Happy Jamming!! ( I wore your brooch yesterday on my autumn jacket and had two compliments!) Jo x

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  11. That jam looks delicious....Toast and jam perfect! Have a wonderful weekend

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  12. Oh yes, plum jam is a favourite here, too. On sourdough toast, preferably. But, I admit, eaten straight out of the jar at times.

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  13. Yum, yum, yum! That looks delicious! I haven't tried making my own jam. We have an electric hob and I feel it would be a hindrance, because it takes ages for the 'plates' to change from one setting to the next. x

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  14. Plum jam is one of my favourites. I was given some damsons a few years ago and they made fantastic jam. Come to think of it, I didn't really like jam that much until I made it myself. Homemade is the best! :)

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  15. Hmm I love plum jam, and most of all mirabelle plums I think.. I also LOVE quince jelly and also blackberry jelly, on fresh baguette with a bit of salted butter or on brioche, yum yum..

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  16. Looks yum, where can I get pots with blue gingham lids?! X

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  17. Good grief your photos have literally made my mouth water! Lucky you! My grandma and I used to make strawberry-rhubarb jam, it's my fave because of the lovely memories... Chrissie x

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  18. Oh, plum jam...I love it. And I love how easily it sets too, with all that pectin, unlike strawberry...or maybe that's just me. Good trick to warm the sugar, I've never tried that but I will next time. And how lovely to be given such a fantastic gift from your neighbour. x

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