Plum Butter Recipe
Achieving the correct viscosity for this putter can be tricky, since the cooking time varies according to the ripeness of the plums. After the butter is simmered, it should have the thickness of heavy (double) cream, and once it cools a bit, it should drip thickly from a spoon.
Plum Butter
Makes 5 half-pint jars
1 orange
4 lbs plums
3 3/4 cups sugar
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
Have ready hot, sterilized jars and their lids.
Using a vegetable peeler, cut 4 strips of zest from the orange, each about 1 inch wide and 4 inches long. Cut the orange in half and squeeze enough juice to measure 1/4 cup. Pour into a large nonreactive saucepan.
Halve and pit each plum, and cut each half into 3 pieces. Place the pieces in the saucepan, add the sugar, and stir gently to combine. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer, uncovered, stirring often, until the plums are tender, about 5 minutes.
Working in batches if necessary, pass the plums through a food mill or fine-mesh sieve set over another large, nonreactive saucepan. Stir in the vanilla and cinnamon and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, stirring frequently, until the butter is the consistency of heavy cream, 55–70 minutes.
Ladle the hot butter into the jars, leaving 1/4 inch of headspace. Remove any air bubbles and adjust the headspace, if necessary. Wipe the rims clean and seal tightly with the lids.
Process the jars for 10 minutes in a boiling-water bath. The sealed jars can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year. If a seal has failed, store the jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
This recipe comes from the William-Sonoma cookbook“The Art of Preserving by Weldon Owen.”
Image: Weldon Owen Publishing
