Italian Plum Jam

Serves
makes 5 cups
Time
8 hours 45 minutes

MATT TAYLOR-GROSS

Published on June 12, 2019

There's a reason the Italian prune plum is one of Girl Meets Dirt's signature spoon preserves. Full of natural pectin and with a skin that lends a crimson color to the syrup, this tart fruit practically begs to be made into jam. Founder Audra Lawlor makes hers with licorice-like anise hyssop, but fresh mint or basil also pairs nicely for a more summery flavor.

Featured in: This Orcas Island Jam Company Transforms Local Plums into Vibrant Seasonal Preserves

Equipment

Ingredients

2½ lb. ripe Italian plums, quartered and pitted
2 lb. (4 cups) sugar
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp. anise hyssop leaves, finely chopped (optional)

ADVERTISEMENTAD

Instructions

Step 1

In a large bowl, toss the plums, sugar, and lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours.

Step 2

When ready to cook, put a small plate in the freezer.

Step 3

Transfer the mixture to a heavy medium pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Turn down the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring and scraping the pot as needed, until the juices are concentrated and syrupy but not caramelized, 15–18 minutes. (Use a candy thermometer to ensure the mixture never exceeds 220°F.) Skim any foam that forms at the surface.

Step 4

Retrieve the plate and drizzle a small drop of the plum mixture on the surface. If it starts to set and form a skin after a minute, the preserves are ready. If it remains runny, return the plate to the freezer and cook the plum mixture a few minutes more before testing again. Stir in the herbs (if using), bring to a boil, then immediately remove from the heat.

Step 5

Follow recommended water-bath-canning procedures to jar and preserve the jam for long-term storage. Or, let it cool completely, then refrigerate and serve immediately or within the next 2 weeks.

In a large bowl, toss the plums, sugar, and lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours.
When ready to cook, put a small plate in the freezer.
Transfer the mixture to a heavy medium pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Turn down the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring and scraping the pot as needed, until the juices are concentrated and syrupy but not caramelized, 15–18 minutes. (Use a candy thermometer to ensure the mixture never exceeds 220°F.) Skim any foam that forms at the surface.
Retrieve the plate and drizzle a small drop of the plum mixture on the surface. If it starts to set and form a skin after a minute, the preserves are ready. If it remains runny, return the plate to the freezer and cook the plum mixture a few minutes more before testing again. Stir in the herbs (if using), bring to a boil, then immediately remove from the heat.
Follow recommended water-bath-canning procedures to jar and preserve the jam for long-term storage. Or, let it cool completely, then refrigerate and serve immediately or within the next 2 weeks.