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Hi, we have just moved to a new property and there are two heavily laden plum trees. Would welcome and tips on how to preserve them? Thanks

We usually just freeze them, but remember to remove the stone first else this taints the flavour.

If we have time often make some plum jam too.

Sue

Jam - then you can have plums all year round. Dowerhouse Chutney is really lovely
http://www.cookitsimply.com/recipe-0010-06s292.html - also makes use of the apples in season at the same time.
Then there's always crumble!
I'm quite envious of you, my plum tree only has about three on it!

plum cobbler/upside down cake is great. 1/2 them take out the stone and dry the blighters-lovely and tangy. then there is always plumb wine.

Jam and chutney.

I've tried freezing them lightly stewed but they turn into prunes as soon as the air starts to touch them and it doesn't survive the freezing process and is completely disgusting I don't know why this happens to plums (and cherries ) but black greengages isn't my cup of tea!

Sue how did you freeze yours?

Hi MMM

I don't bother stewing them first. I literally just take out stones, split them in half and pop them into freezer bags. Have never had any problems.

We have a very old Victoria Plum tree that still produces very well for us every year.

Sue

Are they purple plums though? Cos greengages start getting a dark colour as soon as you cut into them, just like light coloured cherries and apples. Our greengages blackened as soon as air touched them and they had this aroma of prune. Now I like prunes but this was absolutely disgusting!

What to do with them?

Plum Wine!

When we had a glut of plums, I took the stones out of a batch them, mashed them and made them into ice cubes.

Over the next few weeks/months I made smoothies occasionally, throwing in three or four of these ice cubes to keep the mixture cool. Liquidising fruit (well, anything really) raises its temperature.

They wouldn't keep a long time without any further processing of course (all they got was a rinse under the cold tap) but nonetheless, the season was 'extended'.

You're so lucky, I love plums but i've not had a ripe lovely, sweet plum in so many years. I never buy them because they're so disappointing but I know there are good ones out there. If I were you I would just eat them ripe. But plum jam is also very good.