Spiced Italian Plums Prunes In Port Recipes

PICKLED ITALIAN PLUMS

Steps:

• Prepare a boiling water bath canner and enough jars to hold 4 pints of product.
• Cut plums in half and cut each half into 4-6 wedges.
• Pile sliced plums into a low, wide pan, add the sugar and apple cider vinegar, and stir to combine.
• Bundle the spices up in a length of cheesecloth or tuck them into a non-reactive tea ball and add them to the pan.
• Place the pan on the stove and bring it to a boil. Cook at a vigorous bubble for 5-6 minutes, until the syrup thickens and the fruit softens (but try to stop cooking before the slices start to disintegrate).
• Using a slotted spoon, funnel the fruit into jars and then top each jar off with the syrup, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace.
• Tap jars to loosen air bubbles and adjust syrup levels, as needed.
• Wipe rims, apply lids and rings, and process jars in a boiling water bath canner for 20 minutes.
• When time is up, remove jars from canner and place on a folded kitchen towel to cool.
• If jars begin siphoning their syrup when you first remove them from the canning pot, pop them back into the water. Slide the pot off the hot burner and let the jars cool more gradually in the pot.
• Once jars have had a chance to cool to room temperature on their towel, check the seals by pushing on the lids. If they are firm and without wiggle, the seals are good.
• Sealed jars are shelf stable for at least a year.

PRUNES IN PORT

Steps:

• soak prunes in the port overnight.
• next morning combine everything and simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionaly.
• take out vanilla bean. (You can wash it and use it again).
• bottle, or store in the fridge.

SPICED ITALIAN PLUMS (PRUNES) IN PORT

Steps:

• Cut plums in half and remove pit. Combine sugar, water, orange peel, cinnamon sticks and cloves in a large pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer a few minutes. Add plums, a layer at a time to heat through, about 2 minutes. Remove plums from syrup.
• Pack hot plums into hot pint jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace.
• Repeat with remaining plums.
• Reheat syrup to a boil. Remove from heat; discard cinnamon sticks. Stir in port.
• Pour over plums, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. (add a few cloves and pieces of orange peel to each jar). Remove air bubbles. Adjust caps.
• Process 20 minutes in boiling water bath.

ROASTED ITALIAN PLUMS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Toss plums in a large bowl with sugar and butter; place cut side down on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast until plums are cooked through and caramelized, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven, and serve.

ITALIAN PLUM JAM

Steps:

• In a large bowl, toss the plums, sugar, and lemon juice.
• Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge overnight (or at least 8 hours).
• Place a small plate in the freezer right before cooking the plums (this is to use to check if plum jam is ready).
• Place the plum mixture in a medium sauce pan on high heat. Bring to a boil for a couple of minutes. Lower heat to a low simmer. Stir with a wooden spoon and loosen any pieces that may stick to the bottom.
• Be sure to keep stirring for about 15-20 minutes. You'll know it's ready when juices become thicken like a syrup. You could check temperature with a candy thermometer to make sure it's never over 220 F. As it simmers, remove any white foam that could come to the surface.
• To make sure the jam is ready, remove the small plate from the freezer. Place a teaspoon of jam on the plate. If it sets within a minute, it is ready. If it still appears runny, return the plate to the freezer and continue to cook the plum mixture. Test again in a few minutes.
• Carefully spoon the jam into sterilized jars. Apply lids jars.
• Wipe rims with a clean, damp towel and screw lids on securely but not too tightly.
• Process in boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
• Carefully remove jars using tongs. Use potholders to tighten the lids. Place jars on a rack upside-down and let them cool. When they've cooled down, store them in the refrigerator. The jam should keep unopened for several months.