How do you make Plum butter?

How to Make Plum Butter

Plum butter is a delicious and versatile spread that can be enjoyed on toast, crackers, or even used in baking. Here's a simple recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

* 4 pounds ripe plums, pitted and chopped

* 1 cup sugar

* 1/4 cup lemon juice

* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the plums: Wash, pit, and chop the plums.

2. Combine ingredients: In a large saucepan, combine the chopped plums, sugar, lemon juice, and spices (if using).

3. Cook and simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 30-45 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the plums are very soft and the mixture has thickened.

4. Process the plum butter: Use an immersion blender or transfer the mixture to a food processor or blender and purée until smooth.

5. Continue cooking: Return the plum butter to the saucepan and continue cooking over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture reaches a thick, spreadable consistency. This will take about 15-20 minutes.

6. Jar and store: Pour the hot plum butter into sterilized jars, leaving about 1/2 inch of headspace. Wipe the rims clean, seal the jars tightly, and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes to ensure proper preservation.

7. Cool and store: Let the jars cool completely before storing in a cool, dark place.

Tips:

* Use ripe plums: Ripe plums are the key to flavorful plum butter. Choose plums that are soft and have a slight give when pressed.

* Adjust sweetness: If you prefer a less sweet plum butter, reduce the sugar by 1/4 cup.

* Add spices: You can experiment with different spices, such as ginger, cloves, or allspice, to add extra flavor.

* Use pectin: For a thicker plum butter, add 1 tablespoon of powdered pectin to the mixture before simmering.

* Make ahead: Plum butter can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks or frozen for up to 6 months.

Enjoy your homemade plum butter!