Plum: botanical features of a tree and the effect of fruits on the human body
Plum is a common fruit tree in our country. Gardeners often plant it on their plots due to abundant fruiting and unpretentiousness. The fruit of this plant, so familiar to many, is fraught with a whole set of vitamins and trace elements. Its beneficial properties are known to many. The taste qualities of fresh, canned and dried fruits of this variety are liked by almost all lovers of sweet and juicy fruits. There are many recipes for preparing various dishes from this fruit that may surprise many lovers of delicious food.
Description
The plum tree is a representative of the pink family, the plum subfamily (this subfamily is also called almond), the genus is plum. The tree has a height of up to 15 meters, and its life expectancy is no more than 25 years, of which it can bear fruit for about 15 years. The crown can be wide or narrow, the tree looks quite large compared to other varieties of horticultural crops.
Plum is widespread in many countries with a temperate climate, it also grows in cold conditions. Various varieties of this fruit tree also grow in Russia - both in the southern regions and in the middle zone. The place of origin of the plant can be considered the Balkan Peninsula and Asia Minor. Initially, a plum of a southern variety, cherry plum, grew there.Then, when crossed with a more northern blackthorn, the domestic plum was obtained, which combines resistance to cold winters and the sweetness of southern fruits.
The wild plum is also a derivative of these species, so it has been able to spread naturally to wider areas. The fruits of the plant are of the same name with its name. They have a round, slightly elongated shape, a pronounced transverse division into two parts. The pulp is fleshy, dense and juicy, the skin is elastic, easily damaged. The classification of the fruits of this plant causes controversy among amateur gardeners. Some varieties of plums can be undersized shrubs, so they are mistakenly classified as berry crops. From the point of view of botany, the fruit of the plum is a one-drupe, tied in place of a pollinated flower. All berries have a multi-seeded structure, so we can say with confidence that the plum fruit is a fruit.
Regardless of whether a plum variety grows as a tree or a shrub, the plant produces a crop in the form of fruits. The color of the fruit can be different: black, purple, yellow, light green, red, pink, whitish. The leaves of this plant have an oblong oval shape, reach a length of 4-6 cm. The flowers are white, about 1-2 cm in diameter. From one flower bud comes up to 3 flowers. Plum blossoms are lush, inflorescences of a pale pink hue. The trunk is red-brown in color, small in diameter. The branches grow in breadth, alternately. Some varieties may be shrub-like and have thorns.
Varieties
This fruit tree comes in many varieties. The culture has about 300 different varieties, among which there are both those obtained by natural crossing and varieties whose properties were achieved through long-term selection.The taste and color of the fruit varies significantly depending on the variety, as does the appearance of the plants themselves. It can be both trees and undersized shrubs.
The breed and place of growth affect the rate of ripening of fruits, their sweetness and juiciness. The most northern type of plum can be considered a turn (prickly plum). Its fruits are small, dark purple or blue in color, with a fairly dense structure. The taste of the fruit is sour, so the turn is used mainly for processing. Compotes are cooked and preserved from it. Blackthorn, due to its natural saturation with acids, is a good wine material, the wine from it does not turn sour and is stored for a long time.
Blackthorn is a hybrid variety, very hardy to the effects of both low and high temperatures. It can be stunted trees or shrubs. The fruits are medium-sized dark blue in color, the pulp does not move well from the stone. The taste is quite sour, suitable mainly for processing, although there are also dessert varieties.
The most common can be considered homemade plum. It is widespread both in the south of Russia and in the middle lane. Depending on the place of growth, the taste and properties of its fruits differ. A hybrid variety, obtained by natural hybridization of blackthorn with cherry plum. The variety of intravarietal subspecies is very large, the color and size of the fruit varies from small blue to large yellow. The tree is quite frost-resistant, while it does not tolerate high temperatures well, in the strong summer heat (from 40 C) it dries up and gets sick.
'Renkold' varieties are very popular for growing because the fruit has juicy flesh and a good, sweet taste. The harvest ripens by July and is stored for a very short time due to the juiciness of the fruit.Plums of this variety are excellent for both canning and fresh consumption. Canadian plum is a bright representative of undersized trees of this plant, the height of adult plums reaches no more than 3 meters. At the same time, the branches have prickly thorns. Fruits from such trees are different in size and color, but they are distinguished by sweetness and the absence of perceptible sourness.
One of the most unpretentious types of plums is wild Ussuri. The fruits are small, green-yellow. Fruit taste is sour. In the process of breeding new varieties by crossing, it was possible to obtain productive varieties with good aromas and juiciness. A variety that is not resistant to cold climate is the American plum, whose mature trees grow up to 9 meters in height. In Russia, it can be found only in the southern regions. Like all southern varieties, it is distinguished by sweetness.
Everyone, especially residents and frequent visitors to the southern territories of our country, knows cherry plum. This is a southern fruit of bright yellow color, it can also be orange, brown. The size of the fruit is small - up to 5 centimeters, the taste is very rich and sweet, the fruits are juicy. This shrub grows mainly in the southern regions. A prominent representative of Asian plum varieties is the Chinese plum. These are tall trees up to 12 m tall, with small fruits up to 3 cm in diameter. The pulp is very juicy and sweet, red in color, has a melon flavor. Cultivated since the 18th century, bears fruit late, in early autumn.
From the name of a large-fruited plum, one can immediately conclude about the size of its fruits. They are characterized by a fibrous structure of the pulp, moderate juiciness. In Russia, it became widespread in the middle of the 17th century, when it was brought from Western Europe.The variety in the conditions of our country was low-yielding, after crossing the yield and taste improved.
Currently, work is underway to develop hybrid varieties of plum and apricot. A hybrid of plum and apricot is called a plemcot, the result of repeated crossing is a pluot. These hybrids are not widespread in Russia, since they are bred from non-hardy varieties and are not able to endure winter even on the territory of the Krasnodar Territory. Now a variety has been bred obtained after crossing a hybrid cherry plum with an apricot - plumkot. It is more adapted to cold wintering; at present, trial plants are grown in the Kuban for subsequent distribution over the territory of middle latitudes.
Difference from prunes
Plum is a fresh fruit, prunes are a product of its processing. Dried plum fruits are called prunes. In winter, when there are almost no fresh berries and fruits, sweet and healthy prunes will be an indispensable delicacy that strengthens the immune system. Fresh fruit is stored for a short time; in dried form, it can retain its taste and useful properties for a whole year without creating additional conditions.
To obtain good dried fruits, the fruits must be medium-sized, contain no more than 1% water, sugar more than 12%, have a dark purple or blue dense skin. Not every variety produces delicious prunes, most often the fruits of the Hungarian, Renklod, and Blue Bird varieties are used. The variety "Prunes Adyghe" was also specially bred. It has large fruits and a bright taste and is quite suitable for the preparation of dried fruits.
Prunes are not made from yellow fruits. Prunes retain all trace elements in preparation for storage in dried form. It differs from plums in its beneficial properties.If this fruit is a natural laxative, then in prunes this property is much more pronounced. The benefits of plums for the heart and blood vessels due to potassium and magnesium in the composition are also preserved in prunes. In dried form, the fruit has a pronounced antibacterial effect, therefore it is used for diseases of the oral cavity.
Dried fruits are made in different ways: by smoking, drying, drying. The taste qualities of ready-made dried fruits are different; for use as a dessert, it is better to use smoked or dried plums. Dried fruits are suitable for compotes. To dry prunes in a natural way, the fruits are laid out in one layer on a flat, covered surface under direct sunlight. They need to be turned over 2-4 times a day to avoid spoilage of plums from mold and rot. After a week, they are moved to a dark place to dry.
It is necessary to dry the plum in the oven in 3 stages due to the high content of juice in it. First, drying takes place at a temperature of 45-50 C for about 4 hours, after which the fruits are allowed to cool. The second stage is carried out at a temperature of 55-60 C for the same time. The third drying takes longer - about 10 hours at 75 C. In the last half hour, the temperature can be brought up to 100 C to give the skin a shine.
At this time, you need to carefully monitor so that the prunes do not dry out. Ready-made dried fruits should be elastic, soft, not release juice in any quantity.
Composition and BJU
The calorie content of plums is 42 kcal per 100 grams. The protein content is 0.8 g, fat - 0.3 g, carbohydrates - 9.9 g. Plum contains about 84 g of water per 100 g of product. Plum is rich in vitamins and minerals.Also, the fruits of this culture are rich in organic acids, sucrose, glucose and coarse fiber. They help the body maintain the work of the heart muscle, strengthen the walls of blood vessels, saturate bone tissue, and regulate the necessary composition of the blood formula.
The content of boron in fruits is a record, it is about 55% of the daily intake of its consumption.
The glycemic index of plums is low - 22, for prunes this figure is slightly higher - 25. The increase in blood sugar after eating them occurs to a small extent, which is safe for the health of all groups of people. Carbohydrates from them are absorbed gradually, without causing a jump in blood glucose levels. This is very important for diabetics, who, subject to a strict restriction of sweets, such fruits will be allowed and even useful, with the exception of sweet varieties.
fruit properties
The fruits of this species are saturated with various substances that, acting on the body, will be useful if used correctly and the sanitary standards for processing fruits are observed. Some properties of the fruit are used to treat skin diseases and wounds, as well as in cosmetology.
Benefit
Fresh fruit, canned compote or jam, dried fruit - in all forms, the benefits of plums for human health are obvious. These fruits are recommended for consumption by people suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system. The rich vitamin composition is also able to have a beneficial effect on the activity of the central nervous system. A significant influence on the component composition of the fruit, and therefore on its properties, is exerted by the soil on which the plant develops. The mineral predominant in the composition of the soil will also be contained in greater quantities in the fruits.
Plum, unlike some related fruits, has a pronounced and at the same time mild laxative effect. It is often recommended for chronic constipation in adults and children as an adjunct to herbal medicine. For this purpose, the fruit is consumed fresh or in the form of decoctions, while it can be recommended for young children. Plum gently weakens and cleanses the digestive system, removes toxins from the body.
Vitamin A contained in the fruit is useful in rheumatic diseases, including gout. The fruit has a calming effect. Plum is easily digested, causes appetite and improves peristalsis of the lower intestines. The high content of potassium salts enhances the separation of bile and causes a choleretic effect.
Urine also under the influence of these substances leaves the body faster, removing excess fluid and not allowing unnecessary salts to be deposited. This fruit contains coumarins, and both fruits and leaves contain it. They help the body get rid of excess cholesterol.
This fruit is recommended for atherosclerosis, has a preventive effect against the formation of blood clots and cholesterol plaques in the blood vessels.
Plum speeds up metabolism, so this fruit is indispensable for weight loss. Its beneficial properties are used by nutritionists and those for whom excess weight is enemy number one. When losing weight, this fruit is used very widely. Nutritionists advise including fresh plums in the daily diet. Usually the use of 3-6 fruits helps to normalize bowel function. To get a tangible result when losing weight, you need to increase this amount.Plum cleanses the body of toxic substances, pectins in its composition remove toxins, and fiber helps the intestines to remove harmful substances from the body.
For example, the daily use of plums, which do not "strengthen", for weight loss can occur according to the following scheme in addition to the established diet. For breakfast, a glass of plum juice is added to the diet, 5-6 plums for lunch, and 7-10 for dinner. At the same time, one should not forget about the need for other food to enter the body to maintain the balance of microelements. This mode of eating this fruit will be useful not only for those who are overweight, but also for hypertensive patients, as well as for people with diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Rutin, contained in large quantities in these fruits, normalizes blood pressure and improves the condition of the walls of blood vessels. The benefits of this substance are retained in the jam because it is resistant to high temperatures.
Plum contains natural antioxidants that will help prevent the occurrence of cancer. In addition, these fruits are very useful for vision due to the carotene in their composition. The peel contains the highest concentration of nutrients and vitamins, so it is better to eat fruits with it. Plum has wound healing and regenerating properties. Fresh fruit compresses are used to treat corns, and plum pulp face masks make the skin toned and fresh.
A decoction of plum fruits, used as a lotion for the skin of the face and décolleté, will help keep the skin fresh and clean for a long time.
Regular consumption of plum fruits will help improve the condition of nails, hair, skin, and strengthen muscle tissue.
Harm
Despite the large number of useful substances, plums still have properties that can harm some. People with intestinal disorders, increased flatulence, in childhood (during the formation of the digestive system), it is better not to use this product, it can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea and increased gas formation. In case of violations of the level of acidity, it is also better to refuse plums, especially wild ones, sloes, thorns and some other acidic varieties. Plum contains a large amount of natural organic acids. With peptic ulcers of the stomach and intestines, gastritis, colitis, it is also better to exclude plum fruits from the diet.
Sweet varieties and prunes are best avoided for obesity and diabetes. Poor-quality and unripe fruits, uncultivated varieties can irritate the stomach with their acid and cause pain, cramps and poisoning. The same can be attributed to imported plums, since most often they go on sale treated with substances that protect the fruit from rotting. For the human body, such substances can be dangerous. Harm to the body can cause the use of plums immediately after eating, because this fruit quickly begins to ferment, and this can cause increased flatulence.
Nuances of use
Like any product so rich in various substances, the plum has its own characteristics that should be taken into account, especially for people who have diets and food restrictions due to various circumstances.
children
In childhood, it is better to eat plums in limited quantities. Before reaching the age of one year, children are not recommended to give this fruit, it is only possible to use a small amount of fresh compote from plums or prunes for constipation.Side effects in this case may be intestinal colic. For children under 6 months of age, draining in any form is strictly contraindicated. It is better to start introducing a child to such a product with plum puree from about the age of 6 months. It is better if these are plums of white and yellow varieties.
The norm for taking plum puree at this age is 1-2 teaspoons. Over time, this number increases.
Children under 3 often suffer from allergic reactions. The immune system is not fully formed, so it rejects many substances. This is especially true of brightly colored fruits containing a lot of sugar. One of these is plum. Therefore, before giving these fruits to the baby, it is necessary to test for an allergic reaction, especially if there have previously been reactions to other fruits of the Rosaceae family - peaches, apricots, cherries. First, they give a small piece of fruit and during the day they observe the condition of the skin, mucous membranes and the child's breathing. If no reactions are observed, you can gradually increase the amount of fruit consumed. It is best to give children skinless plums, since the most allergenic substances are contained in it.
At an older age, plums will be a tasty and healthy treat for children and adolescents. It is better to use it in a processed form - compotes, jams, preserves, prunes are suitable. The abundance of fiber in fresh fruits in a child's incompletely formed gastrointestinal tract can cause diarrhea. However, the correct use of this product will give energy to the growing body.
To normalize the child's appetite, you can give him a couple of plum fruits before eating.
adults
The use of plums by an adult healthy person can be almost anything, according to the taste preferences and needs of the body. However, there are nuances that can affect the functioning of the human intestinal tract. The choice is best made in favor of ripe fruits. Eating unripe plums can cause intestinal upset. The ripe fruit has a uniform color according to the variety, tender flesh, moderate sourness in taste or its absence.
It is better to use plums in the season of its ripening. Fruits located on store shelves in winter will be treated with chemicals, since fresh plums are stored for a very short time - a few days. Therefore, it is better to harvest the plum yourself for the winter time by freezing, drying or preserving. It is best for adults to eat plums at least 3 hours before bedtime, otherwise the intestines will be overloaded at night, and the natural sugars in the composition may be deposited in the form of fat.
It is better to eat these delicious fruits in moderation, otherwise allergic reactions and stool disorders may begin over time.
Pregnant and lactating
The benefits of plums during pregnancy are undeniable. The fruit is able to fight puffiness due to the diuretic effect. Many pregnant women suffer from edema problems. The kidneys are overworked. The use of fresh plum fruits and compotes from it will help enhance kidney function and facilitate the removal of excess fluid from the body.
Due to the mild stimulating effect of plums on the gastrointestinal tract, the condition of pregnant women with digestive disorders is facilitated. The growing uterus presses on the intestines, thereby disrupting its work. Plum gently affects the stomach, the acids in its composition help break down food.The process of digestion is facilitated, the intestines are easier to cope with their task. When using plums for flatulence and constipation, the condition of pregnant women is greatly facilitated.
Plum can also alleviate the condition with toxicosis, since the acids in its composition stabilize the state of the nervous system, and the sour taste eliminates the feeling of nausea. The use of plums by a pregnant woman will have a beneficial effect on the developing fetus of the child. Fruits rich in potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and other trace elements will bring into a small organism the substances necessary for the formation of the central nervous system, heart and blood vessels, and help form the correct neural connection.
The property of plums to strengthen blood vessels will improve placental blood flow, which is very good for the health of the mother and fetus. Plum also has moderate anti-cold and antipyretic properties, so pregnant women often use its decoctions and infusions for colds, because for this category of women the use of medicinal products is strictly limited.
But the use of plums during breastfeeding should be limited. Organic acids, getting into breast milk, can provoke intestinal colic, flatulence, swelling of the abdomen and diarrhea in a child. These conditions of the gastrointestinal tract disorder will cause the baby a lot of anxiety and pain, so it is better for a nursing woman to stop eating plums, especially in the form of dried fruits.
Preparation for the winter
It is best to consume plums fresh. The natural conditions of Russia do not allow enjoying these healthy and sweet fruits all year round. Therefore, over time, methods of harvesting plums for the winter have been formed.They are quite traditional and are characteristic of all types of fruits. Desserts, drinks, snacks are prepared from plums, leaves are harvested for drying.
The ripening season for most varieties is July, so at this time there is the most active work on harvesting fruits for the winter.
The traditional way of harvesting vegetables and fruits for the winter is to preserve them. For plums, this method is well suited, since they retain their properties during heat treatment. For conservation, take plums with a stone or pull it out. It should be remembered that if the plum was processed with a stone, such compote or jam can be stored for no more than a year. After the expiration of this period, the bone begins to release toxic substances that can harm the body.
Since plums have a high acidity, they are preserved under varnished lids. Otherwise, acids can corrode the metal, then the workpiece will be unsuitable for human consumption.
From plums you can make juices, compotes, preserves, jams, marmalade, meat sauces, snacks. It can be not only sweet dessert dishes, but also spicy marinated ones. Fruits can be whole, halves or processed into a single mass. For the preparation of compotes, sweet, fleshy varieties are used, for example, "Hungarian". It is better if the fruits are of the same size and color. Marmalade, jam and marmalade can be prepared from lower quality raw materials, cracked and slightly overripe fruits. It is better to freeze high quality plums.
To preserve the whole plum, it is first placed in water at a temperature of about 80 C for 10 minutes, after which it is immediately transferred to cold water. This process is called blanching. It helps plums maintain integrity, fit more tightly into jars.The peel after blanching withstands heat treatment without breaking the integrity. You can add a little soda to the water, about 1 tsp. per liter of water. So the plums will be less boiled. Sometimes, before blanching, the fruits are pricked with a toothpick in several places to the bone. The syrup then soaks the pulp better, and the plum is more juicy.
Before canning, the plums are washed, cleaned of debris, sorted by size and quality of the fruit. Bones, if necessary, are removed by cutting the fruit lengthwise. Canning can be done both from plums as an independent one-component product, and with the addition of other fruits - apples, cherries, apricots. Frozen plum is stored for about a year and retains its properties in this form best.
It is delicious both as a thawed dessert and for processing into compotes and jams, and will also be an excellent filling for pies.
Fruits for freezing are selected ripe, but not overripe, clean, without damage. Freezing has many advantages:
- simplicity and availability of preparation;
- speed of processing;
- maximum preservation of nutrients;
- the ability to divide the workpiece into small parts in portions;
- possibility of further processing.
Freeze storage temperature up to 1.5 months - about -12 C, up to 6 months - about -10-15 C, at temperatures below -18 C this product can be stored for up to a year without pits. Fruits frozen with stones are stored a little less - up to 9 months. There are several freezing options.
For freezing in a “dry” way, washed and peeled fruits are laid out on a baking sheet with the skin down. After that, the plum is removed in the freezer for several hours before hardening.Some freezers have a special compartment with a quick "shock" freezing function. This method is preferable because it allows you to save the maximum amount of nutrients. After the plums have hardened and are dry to the touch, they are pulled out and divided into portions of the required weight, packed in bags or containers with a minimum amount of air. Packaged fruits are stored in the freezer.
You can freeze plums in sugar syrup. To do this, the selected fruits are peeled, blanched, cut into small pieces. The larger the pieces, the better the fruit will retain its texture. You can even freeze whole fruits, but for this you need to purchase a device for pulling out the seeds. After processing, fruits can be poured with lemon juice to avoid darkening of the pulp. Freezing syrup can be light (400 g of sugar per 700 ml of water) or thick (700 g of sugar per 430 ml of water). Also use natural apple or grape juice. The product is placed in a freezer bag, and the finished syrup is poured there so that the berries are covered with it. The air from the bag must be released by placing the workpiece in the freezer for freezing and storage.
You can also freeze the fruits in sugar, for this the prepared product is laid out on a dish sprinkled with a thin layer of sugar, sprinkled with sugar, repeated several times. Leave at room temperature for several hours so that the plums give juice. After that, they can be frozen.
Ripe high-quality fruits are frozen whole with stones. To do this, they are washed, dried from surface moisture, placed in freezer bags and placed in a freezer.
In order not to lose the taste of the product during defrosting, it is necessary to carry out this process as gently and gradually as possible. It is desirable if the berries are thawed at room temperature or in the refrigerator to the required degree of thawing. As a rule, frozen fruits thaw in the refrigerator for about a day, in room conditions - about 5-6 hours until completely thawed. If the plum is needed urgently, then you can resort to using the oven, microwave, water bath, however, this method will reduce the amount of nutrients and disrupt the structure of the fruit.
Delicious recipes
There are many delicious and healthy recipes on how to cook this wonderful fruit. Some of them are familiar to many since childhood, and some may seem exotic and will amaze you with their unusual taste and non-standard use of such familiar ingredients. Many housewives have their own proven canning recipes. They are accumulated for many years and passed down from generation to generation. Over time, new recipes appear, they become more refined and unusual.
plum jelly
Peel, wash and dry 1 kg of fresh fruits from moisture. Bones must be removed, plums cut in half. Pour a glass of water and boil for about 20 minutes. Pour in 100 ml of lemon juice as a preservative. Pour 100 g of pectin and 1 kg of sugar, boil the thickened jelly for about a minute. The foam must be removed. Jelly is laid out in jars under sealed lids.
Pitted plum jam
Rinse 1 kg plums, remove pits. Add 1 kg of sugar to 100 ml of water, boil the syrup until it thickens. Pour the plums with the resulting syrup for several hours. After insisting, place the container with fruit and syrup on the fire and boil. Leave for about 10 hours.Carry out the boiling-infusion procedure three times. After that, boil the jam again for about a minute and put it in containers for airtight twisting and further storage.
plum compote
From 1 kg of fresh plums, remove the seeds, cut the resulting pulp into pieces of 1⁄4 of the fruit. Arrange the pieces in pre-sterilized jars. The more plums, the richer the compote consistency. Pour boiling water over a jar of fruit until overflowing, leave for an hour. Drain the water into a saucepan and place on the stove. Add sugar, 1 cup for every liter of water. Boil the syrup, pour into jars. Fill the missing space in the containers to the top with boiled water. Banks hermetically roll up, place for storage in a dark place.
Five-minute jam
Rinse 1 kg plums, blanch. Prick the plums on both sides, you can remove the pits from large plums. Put 50 ml of water on fire, add 800 g of sugar, boil the syrup until it thickens. Pour plums with hot syrup for 4 hours, then cook for another 5-7 minutes. Repeat twice. Boil syrup from 500 ml of water and 400 g of sugar, pour into a saucepan with jam, cook for 5-7 minutes. Divide into jars and seal tightly with lids.
Fruits in their own juice
Rinse 1 kg of plums with cold running water, remove the seeds. Place the plums in a saucepan, add 1.5 kg of sugar. The drain should stand for about 10-15 hours. After that, put the pan on the fire and cook for 5 minutes. Arrange the jam in sterilized jars, seal tightly.
dried plum
2 kg plums, pitted, cut into halves. Put the plum on a baking sheet, place in the oven for 2 hours at 100 C. Leave the oven door ajar. After that, cut into thin slices 2 cloves of garlic, spread over the plum. Sprinkle with salt, thyme and basil.Place in the oven for 2-3 hours, avoiding overdrying. After that, put the pieces into sterilized jars, put the remnants of herbs and garlic from the baking sheet into a container with fruit. Heat 1.5 cups of vegetable or olive oil in a water bath, pour jars to the top. Close the jars tightly.
Fruit salad
300 g plums, 150 g apricots, pitted, cut into cubes. Water 1 tbsp. l. lemon juice. Dilute a bar of milk chocolate in a water bath, pour over fruit and mix. Serve the dish in portions.
plum soup
Pour a glass of water into a saucepan, add 2 tbsp. l. granulated sugar, 500 g of fruit, pitted, cook for 10 minutes. Grate the plum into a puree, mix with 1 tsp. grated lemon zest, 1 cup wine and vanilla sugar to taste. Serve with whipped cream.
smoked plums
12 large plums, peeled. Cover the baking sheet with a sheet of foil, cover with 2 tbsp. l. black tea, place in the oven at 200 degrees. Plums put in a refractory dish, pour 3 tbsp. l. Sahara. After filling the oven with smoke, place the pan there, hold for 5-6 minutes until the sugar melts. After that, place the pan on a quiet fire, add 25 g of butter. Heat until butter and sugar melt. Make a sauce in a water bath from 100 ml of cream, cinnamon and chocolate. Plums serve in portions, filled with sauce.
plum marshmallow
Wash 2 kg of plums of any variety and color, remove the seeds from them. The fruits are twisted through a meat grinder until a homogeneous mass. Pour 1-2 kg of sugar to taste, add pectin according to the instructions for the jelly-forming agent on the package. Cook over low heat for about 20-30 minutes. Next, you need to dry the mass of plums and sugar.To do this, spread foil, parchment or oilcloth, distribute the fruit mass over the surface. Dry marshmallow until cooked naturally, cut into pieces. Ready can be considered marshmallow, which is softly and elastically rolled up.
Plums are often used to make sauces and snacks. It would seem that such a sweet and fragrant fruit can only be a dessert dish, however, it goes well with meat, fish and poultry.
Tkemali sauce
Wash 1 kg of cherry plum, put in a saucepan and simmer until soft. Finely chop the garlic, dill and parsley. Whisk the plums with a blender or grind with a sieve. Add garlic and herbs, salt, sugar, pepper, suneli hops to taste. Boil the sauce over low heat for 5-7 minutes after boiling. This sauce can be preserved. To do this, add lemon juice to it and close it tightly in jars.
Adjika from plums
Rinse 2 kg of fruit, remove stones. Peel 2-3 hot peppers, 200 g of garlic. Skip the products through a meat grinder. Add 2 tbsp. l. tomato paste, sugar, salt and pepper to taste. Boil the mixture for about 30 minutes. Arrange in jars and close with sterilized lids.
Plums marinated with garlic
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and cut into thin slices. Rinse the plums, remove the pit, cut the plum in half, but do not cut. Place a clove of garlic in place of the pit. Pack bay leaves, allspice, cloves to taste in sterilized jars, fill with prepared fruits. Make a marinade from 500 ml of water, 100 g of sugar, 1 tsp. salt, bringing the solution to a boil. Pour jars, keep them under a towel for 30 minutes. Then pour the marinade into a saucepan, pour in 50 ml of vinegar, bring to a boil, boil for 5 minutes. Pour plums over them, close the jars hermetically.
Plum drinks are a very common delicacy, their taste and aroma are rich and rich. This fruit gives a lot of sediment, so it is better to strain such drinks well and defend for a long time. These are wines, liqueurs, juices. On average, to obtain juice, you need 50 g of sugar per 1 kg of plum. Fruits are covered with sugar and poured with water, boiled and ground several times. After that, the juice is defended and, if necessary, canned. As you can see, plum dessert recipes are quite diverse and can satisfy even the most capricious gourmets.
On the features of the use of plums, see below.