Italian Plum Jam Half Recipes

Steps:

• Pit the plums and chop in a food processor. Measure 4-cups.
• In a pan combine the 4-cups chopped plums, lemon juice and water.
• Stir-in the dry pectin.
• Bring to a boil and boil for one minute.
• Add the sugar.
• Bring back to a boil and boil hard for a full minute.
• Ladle into sterilized jars. Adjust caps.
• Water bath process 8-minutes.
• Yield: 4-5 half pints and a taster for the fridge.

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.

Steps:

• JELLY:.
• Rinse, drain and pit plums.
• Cook the plums and water at a fast simmer for 30 minutes, stirring frequently. I use my biggest, shallowest pan that will hold the plums and water and allow for stirring, you want evaporation to take place.
• The plums will become very soft and begin to fall apart.
• Press the plums and liquid through a coarse food mill.
• Combine plums, lemon juice and sugar in a large pan (like a dutch oven) or preserving pan.
• Add 1 tablespoon of butter, this helps reduce foaming.
• Stir over medium high heat until sugar is dissolved.
• Cook jam at a brisk boil (spooning off any foam that arises) until it passes the jelly test, about 10 - 11 minutes.
• Add liqueur and cook 2 minutes.
• Remove from heat.
• CANNING:.
• Wash jars and screw rings.
• Fill electric fry pan 2/3 full with water and bring to a boil.
• Put jars in water, upside down along with sealing lids.
• Jars should heat at least 10 minutes, and sealing lids at least 3 and should be covered by water.
• Ladle jam into jars filing to 1/4 from very top.
• Wipe rim with boiling water using a paper towel.
• Put on sealing lid and screw on ring.
• Turn jar upside down.
• Finish all jars.
• Turn jars right side up.
• Cover jars with a towel.
• Jars should seal in 5 - 30 minutes. If jars does NOT seal, use jam, do not store for any length of time.