When the branches bend under the load of fruit in summer, sensible use of plums is the order of the day. Plums that have not been eaten, preserved or given away like to make themselves comfortable in the freezer. Until the next harvest, they cover the demand, for example for a plum cake.

Plums can be frozen raw or cooked

Use suitable plums

Plums are relatively easy to freeze. However, they should offer maximum taste and also be flawless.

  • do not use unripe or overripe fruit
  • find the optimal level of maturity
  • Shell should be intact and firm
  • discard mushy fruit or fruit with rotten spots

Especially when plums come from your own, unsprayed tree, a few uninvited guests could cavort in the fruit. That's not too bad, but of course such fruits are not suitable for consumption.

How to freeze plums

How you preserve the plum pleasure in the freezer is up to you:

  • Freeze raw plums
  • alternatively ready-baked plum cake
  • or ready-made mush

Freeze raw plums

Raw plums can be frozen quickly and easily. Only a few preparatory work steps are indispensable beforehand.

  1. Thoroughly wash all fruit.
  2. Give the plums time to dry or pat dry with a clean kitchen towel.
  3. Remove the stones. The best way to do this is to cut the fruit in half with a sharp knife.
  4. Arrange the plum halves in a single layer on a tray that fits in the freezer.
  5. Place the spread plum pieces in the freezer to pre-freeze.
  6. Collect the frozen pieces in freezer bags or other containers and put them back in the freezer immediately after labelling.

Ready plum cake in stock

Plums from the freezer are often used in a plum cake. If you not only have plenty of plums in the kitchen, but also have some time to spare, you can also prepare and freeze the plum cake right away.

  • Prepare and bake plum cake
  • Let the cake cool down well
  • if necessary, portion into sections
  • put in freezer bags and freeze

tips

You'll be hard pressed to find a large enough freezer bag for a whole plum tart. Instead, wrap the cake tightly in aluminum foil.

Plum jam is also allowed in the chest

Plum jam is a popular way to enjoy the taste of plum all year round. Storing it in a tightly sealed jar is just one way to keep it edible longer. The freezer is also a good choice.

  • Prepare mush with sugar
  • let it cool down first
  • Pour into suitable freezer containers
  • freeze immediately

tips

You can also freeze plum jam in jars. However, you should not fill them up completely, as the contents of the chest will still expand.

Shelf life of plums and plum preparations

Raw frozen plum halves and plum jam can be stored in the freezer for a whole year. Plum cake should be consumed within six months.

thawing

Plum cake is briefly baked in the oven before serving, then it tastes fresh and smells wonderful too. If a cake is made from the frozen plums, the fruit may also be used in the frozen state. Otherwise, you can gently defrost in the refrigerator. Plum jam is best thawed in the refrigerator overnight.

Conclusion for fast readers:

  • Suitable plums: Ripe fruits with firm and undamaged peel; not soggy or rotting
  • Variations: Freeze raw plums, plum cake or puree
  • Raw plums: wash and dry the fruit; halve and pit; prefreeze
  • Plum cake: Bake until done and leave to cool; portion, pack and freeze
  • Tip: Wrap the whole plum cake in aluminum foil and put it in the chest.
  • Plum jam: finish cooking and let cool; fill into freezer containers; label and freeze
  • Shelf life: plum halves and plum jam: 1 year; Plum cake: 6 months
  • Defrosting: Briefly bake the plum cake; Thaw the plums and mush in the fridge
  • Alternatively: use deep-frozen plum pieces for cakes or mousse preparation

The garden journal freshness ABC

How can fruit and vegetables be stored correctly so that they stay fresh for as long as possible?

The garden journal freshness ABC as a poster:

  • as a free PDF file to print out yourself

Category:

Trees