Turning Juicy Summer Plums Into New Delicious Jam

Back in August we harvested our wild plums! The time has come to finally pull them out of the freezer and do something with them. Jam/jelly is first on the list. I’m making quite a bit of plain jam. It has turned out great. We put several into small 4 ounce jars that can be gifted. Christmas baskets coming soon!

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

I also want to make one batch of wild plums and jalapeño jam. I might possibly try making some juice. Time will tell.

Do you ever want to try something new but feel intimidated by it? That’s how canning new things is for me. The more I do it the more confident I feel. I enjoy learning most along side someone or from someone .

Surprise Plums

Before moving to our new home, I really didn’t even understand what a plum thicket was. It was fun to see all the little plums grow and become beautiful fruit we could enjoy. The fruit took all summer for it to rippen to just the right color. It was well worth the wait. I think the hardest part is that everything seems ready around the same time. So figuring out what has to be taken care of right away and what can be frozen and processed later was a learning experience this year.

It seems a lot of our produce is ready right when school starts back up. For me that makes it a little bit of an extra challenge since I have to start back up at work and we’re all trying to figure out our new school routines. We’re also just adjusting to the constant changes of life.

Recipe

Supplies

Jars
Water Bath Canner
Magnetic lid lifter
canning funnel
jar lifter
bubble popper (measurer)
Stock Pot
Chinois Set
bowl
Plums (about 1.5 Gallons)
Sugar (7 cups)

Instructions:

If your plums are frozen let them defrost
Pit the plums
Boil the plums until the skins are soft
Scoop the softened plums into a Chinois and catch juice in a bowl.
- (A cheese cloth might work as well – squeeze out the juice)
Try to get 4-5 cups of juice (you can add some water if you are short)
Bring the juice to a boil and add pectin
Bring it back to a boil and add sugar
Once the sugar is added, bring to a roiling boil for 1 minute
Remove from heat
Start pouring the liquid in hot jars
Wipe the jars with a vinegar paper towel
Place hot lids on top of the jars with rings finger tight
Process in a water bath for 5 minutes (8oz jars)
Finally take out of water bath and let stand 24 hours

Faith

Our faith journey is much like the growing season. There are times when it is abundant and you feel overflowing with the spirit inside of you, visible outwardly. Other times it’s a small glow like planting garlic in the fall waiting for it to sprout in the spring. It’s not as immediately noticeable, and inwardly you’re working harder to see what God has for you.

In the end, though you know he is showing you his will and way if our eyes are open to it and your willingness to invite him in to your life is there. One of the greatest things just like a garden, is that we can start anew every day at any time. God has sent his son for our sins. We are redeemed and able to ask for forgiveness constantly allowing us to become new all the time.