Peach Plum Jam Food

STONE FRUIT JAM

Steps:

• Toss fruit and sugar together in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Let sit for at least 15 minutes or up to overnight, tossing periodically to coat and to dissolve the sugar. (This will help coax the juices out of the fruit.)
• Place a small plate in the refrigerator to chill. (You'll use this later.)
• Bring the fruit to a strong simmer over medium heat until the skins burst and the juices start to boil, 10 to 15 minutes. If using a vanilla bean as an add-in, put it in the pot now.
• Increase the heat to medium-high. Cook the jam, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon or spatula at first and more frequently as juices thicken until most of the liquid has evaporated and the fruit has begun to break down, about 25 to 35 minutes. How much it breaks down will depend on the type of fruit and how ripe it is. (For example, peaches are likely to retain their shape, while plums and apricots will break down almost entirely.)
• As the jam cooks, the liquid reduces, the sugars thicken and the natural pectins activate. You'll notice the liquid go from a rapid, rolling boil with smaller bubbles to a slow, thick, tarlike boil with larger bubbles. This is the stage at which it's most important to stir constantly along the bottom of the pot to prevent scorching and sticking. (Sugar is heavier than water and will concentrate there, increasing the chance that the fruit will burn.) It's also the stage at which splattering may occur, so take care in stirring.
• When the jam reaches a slow, thick boil, add lemon juice and any of the add-ins (see note). Continue to cook, stirring constantly until the jam has returned to its previously thickened state, about another 5 minutes. To test the consistency, spoon a bit of jam onto the chilled plate, return it to the refrigerator and chill for 2 minutes. Drag your finger through it: It should hold its shape on either side without appearing watery or runny. If it's not there yet, cook it a few minutes more.
• Remove from heat, and pick out vanilla bean, if you added it earlier. Divide between jars, leaving 1/4 inch of space at the top of the jar, and seal immediately. Can the jams (see our How to Make Jam guide for more instruction), or store in the refrigerator, using them up within a couple of weeks.

PEACH PLUM JAM

Steps:

• In a large pot combine peaches, plums, lemon juice and sugar.
• Cook, stiring, over med-high heat until sugar is melted.
• Bring to a rolling boil.
• Boil, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
• Add 2 pouches of Certo, stirring constantly.
• Return to a rolling boil.
• Boil, stirring constantly for 1 minute.
• Remove from heat.
• Skim off any foam with a metal spoon.
• Fill Hot sterile jars leaving 1/4 inch headspace.
• Wipe off jar rims with damp cloth.
• Top with 2 piece seal and ring.
• Hot water bath jars for 10 minutes.

PEACH-PLUM JAM

Steps:

• Stir together fruit, sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a large heavy-bottomed pot. Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved and mashing fruit with a potato masher. Add lemon juice; continue to boil, stirring frequently, until bubbles slow, chunks of fruit show at top, and mixture clings to a spoon but falls off in clumps, 10 to 12 minutes. Skim foam from top.
• Ladle jam into clean containers, leaving 3/4 inch of headroom. Let cool completely. Cover, label, and refrigerate up to 1 month, or freeze up to 1 year.

PEACH-PLUM SUMMER JAM

Steps:

• When selecting fruit, eyeball the quantities; you will want to end up with 4 cups of peeled and processed fruit, so the quantity of whole fruits may vary depending on size. If the fruit isn't perfectly ripe, let sit on counter for a day or two before peeling.
• Peel fruit by dropping whole fruits into boiling water for a minute or two, then plunge fruits into sink or a large bowl filled with ice water. When cool enough to handle, use a small paring knife to score bottom with a small shallow "x" and the skins should slip right off. Halve fruits and remove pits.
• Mash or process fruits to desired consistency and stir in ginger and pectin. Place fruit puree in a 4- to 6-quart pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring to prevent burning. Cook for about 2 minutes, then dump in sugar and cook for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and ladle into sterilized 1/2-pint jars, leaving 1/4-inch headspace. Process in hot water bath canner for 10 minutes or let cool and store in freezer.

SPICED PEACH PLUM JAM

Steps:

• Peel the peaches.
• Slice peaches and plums (no need to peel the plums) into sections around the pits and place into your pot.
• Add the rest of the ingredients.
• Heat over medium heat to bring to a boil.
• Keep at a low boil until the fruit is very soft, about 25 minutes.
• Remove the sprig of rosemary, and run the rest of the mixture through the medium disc of your food mill.
• Return to the pot and continue boiling until thick and jammy, another 20-25 minutes.
• Taste and adjust any seasonings.
• Pour into clean jars, and store in the fridge for up to 3 weeks.
• Enjoy!

PEACHES AND PLUMS

Steps:

• Lightly grease a shallow 2 quart baking dish.
• Mix plums and nectarines, spread in dish.
• Mix sugar and flour, cut in margarine with pastry blender.
• Stir in oats.
• Sprinkle mixture evenly over fruit.
• Dust with cinnamon.
• Bake at 350 30-35 minutes.
• Serve warm.