Greek Plum Jam Recipes

PLUM JAM

Steps:

• Place the plums and water into a large pot, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the sugar, and add butter to reduce foaming, if needed. Bring the mixture to a full, rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly, and then mix in the pectin quickly. Return the jam to a full boil, and boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and skim off and discard any foam.
• Sterilize the jars and lids in boiling water for at least 5 minutes. Pack the plum jam into the hot, sterilized jars, filling the jars to within 1/8 inch of the top. Run a knife or a thin spatula around the insides of the jars after they have been filled to remove any air bubbles. Wipe the rims of the jars with a moist paper towel to remove any food residue. Top with lids, and screw on rings.
• Place a rack in the bottom of a large stockpot and fill halfway with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then carefully lower the jars into the pot using a holder. Leave a 2 inch space between the jars. Pour in more boiling water if necessary until the water level is at least 1 inch above the tops of the jars. Bring the water to a full boil, cover the pot, and process for 10 minutes.
• Remove the jars from the stockpot and place onto a cloth-covered or wood surface, several inches apart, until cool. Once cool, press the top of each lid with a finger, ensuring that the seal is tight (lid does not move up or down at all). Store in a cool, dark area. Refrigerate opened jars for up to 3 weeks.

CANNED PLUM JAM

Steps:

• Prepare jars as described in General Rules.
• Combine plums, sugar, lemonjuice, and salt in a stockpot overhigh heat. Bring to a boil,mashing with a potato masher.Skim scum off top.
• Boil, skimming and stirring frequently,until bubbles slow, youcan see chunks of fruit showingthrough top, and mixtureclings to a spoon, falling offin languid clumps, 10 to 12 minutes.Pick up and discard skinswith a fork, if desired.
• Lift jars out of hot water oneat a time, draining water. (See General Rules for how-to's.) Ladlehot jam into hot jars using awide-mouth funnel, leaving1/2-inch headspace. Slide a nonmetallicspatula or chopstickbetween jam and jar to releasetrapped air bubbles.
• Wipe rim and threads of jarwith a clean, damp cloth. Removelid from hot water. Placelid on jar. Screw band downevenly and firmly, just until resistanceis met. Place in cannerand lower into water.
• Put lid on canner. Bring waterto a boil. Start keeping time afterwater comes to a rolling boil.Process 1/2 pints 10 minutes at agentle but steady boil.
• Turn off heat and remove cannerlid. Let canner cool 5 minutes,then remove jars and set themupright on a dry towel or rack.Do not retighten bands. Let jarscool 12 to 24 hours.
• After jars have cooled, checklids for a good vacuum seal by pressing on center of each. If center is pulled down and does not flex, remove band and gently try to lift lid off with your fingertips. If lid does not flex and you cannot lift it off, seal is set. Wipe lid and jarsurface with a clean, damp clothto remove food particles andresidue. Label. Store jars in acool, dry, dark place.

GREEK PLUM JAM

Steps:

• Wash the fruit well, remove the stones and slice the fruit.
• Peel and grate the apples.
• Boil the sugar and cinnamon sticks in a saucepan with 5 cups of water.
• When it begins to form a syrup, add the fruit to the pan and allow to boil, stirring occasionally so the mixture doesn't stick to the pan.
• When it thickens and forms bubbles on the surface, remove a spoonful and put it onto a dry white plate, cool quickly and draw the tip of a spoon across it - if it leaves a path, then the jam is ready.
• Add the lemon juice and brandy (if desired) and mix for two more minutes.
• Remove from the heat, discard the cinnamon sticks and fill the jars, which have been boiled and drained thoroughly.
• Close the jars firmly and turn upside down until cool.

VANILLA PLUM JAM

Steps:

• In a large covered saucepan, bring plums, agave and vanilla bean to a boil.
• Lower heat, uncover pot and simmer 15 minutes, until plums are dissolved (though skins will remain).
• Cook 10 more minutes to reduce mixture, then stir in stevia.
• Remove vanilla bean, place plum mixture in blender and puree on highest setting.
• Transfer mixture back to pot and reheat on stove.
• In a small bowl, combine arrowroot powder and 1 tablespoon water to make a slurry.
• Bring plum mixture to a boil, then add arrowroot slurry, stirring continuously, until incorporated.
• Remove from heat, cool and transfer to mason jars.
• Store in refrigerator for up to one week.