How to preserve plums at home by freezing, drying and pickling

If you ask an experienced housewife how to store plums at home, she will certainly tell you to preserve them and put them in the freezer. These are not all the methods that are recommended to be put into practice - delicious fruits can be preserved just as effectively on the balcony or in the basement. The main thing is to study the basic storage rules and strictly adhere to the recommendations.

Terms and rules for harvesting plum fruits

It is quite difficult to recommend when to pick juicy fruits from a tree - there are no specific dates. The harvest of plums depends on the variety; some ripen in mid-summer, others hang on the trees almost until autumn. It is important to know whether the variety ripens after picking; if unripe fruits are collected, they can simply go bad, even if good storage conditions are provided. In order not to lose the entire harvest, it is recommended to study the characteristics of the fruits in advance, find out the shelf life, and the characteristics of ripening if they are collected earlier.

Collect fruits at the dacha carefully, use a basket. It is not recommended to work only with your hands, shaking or knocking down fruits. Even a slight blow can cause damage to the drains.

Which varieties are suitable for storage?

It is recommended to use only late varieties for storage. The early ones are more fleshy and juicy; even in cool conditions they quickly begin to deteriorate.

Great for storage:

• El Dorado;
• Stanley;
• Empress;
• Anna Shpet;
• Arton;
• Haganta.

Excellent blue is considered the record holder for storage - under proper conditions it can easily withstand several months without signs of spoilage; you can enjoy fresh fruits even after the New Year holidays.

Duration and storage conditions of fresh plums

Depending on the variety, plum fruits can be stored for up to 4 months, without freezing or pre-treatment.

Record holders are able to withstand much longer - up to six months, but only if you choose the right temperature conditions and avoid over-humidification of the air.

It is recommended to strictly adhere to the basic rules - store fruits at the same temperature and avoid sudden changes. The optimal room temperature is up to five degrees.

In a refrigerator

It is recommended to use egg trays for refrigerated storage. Fruits that do not touch each other rot less and feel great for a long time. Another way is to use plastic containers, small trays that can be hermetically buried. Be sure to regularly check fruits and promptly remove fruits with signs of spoilage.

On the balcony

It is recommended to send plums to the balcony in cardboard boxes. If you have time, wrap each fruit in paper (newspaper), this will protect against adverse external influences and extend shelf life. In severe frosts, if the balcony is cold, it is better to bring it indoors.

In the cellar

Storage in a cellar has a number of advantages - stable temperature, low humidity. The main rule is to regularly inspect fruits and remove fruits with signs of rotting or dry spots. Use cardboard boxes and containers as packaging.

In the freezer

The easiest way to extend the life of healthy fruits is to put them in the freezer. There are two options for storing fruits: remove the seeds first or freeze them whole.

Seedless

Pitted fruits are used to make desserts, baked goods, and fruit sauces. Be sure to wash the fruits, dry them on a soft towel, cut them or divide them into halves with your hands, and remove the seeds. Place in one layer on a wide baking sheet, freeze (turn over several times during freezing), transfer to a container.

With bones

Before freezing, even if the seeds will not be removed, it is also recommended to rinse the fruit. After drying, place in containers (do not compact them) and leave them in the freezer to freeze.

Processing plums for long-term storage for the winter

Besides freezing or storing fresh fruit in a cold place, there are a few simple ways to stock up on plums for the winter. Each of them does not require long-term heat treatment, so you don’t have to worry about the disappearance of useful substances; the vitamins are completely preserved.

Drying

Dried plums are an excellent ingredient for desserts and baked goods. For drying, it is recommended to use special units - an electric dryer, an oven. In summer, the sun's rays will do the process perfectly. Before drying, rinse the fruits and divide them into pieces. It is better to use fruits that are not too juicy; the cooking time will be significantly reduced.

Pickled fruits

There are many recipes for canning plums. Pickled fruits retain most of the beneficial elements. You can prepare a delicacy for the winter in many ways - steam the plums, sterilize them, or pre-boil them in syrup.

Plum in its own juice

The favorite recipe of many housewives is fruits in their own juice. To do this, fill the jars with pieces of fruit, add a small amount of sugar, wait until the plums release their juice, then, if necessary, add a little boiled water and seal.

Preparing candied fruits

To prepare candied fruits, fruits that are not too juicy are used. Sprinkle the plum particles generously with sugar, arrange in one layer on a baking sheet, and cook in the oven at low temperature until ready. Be sure to stir during the cooking process, making sure that the particles dry out and do not bake. Cool completely before packing. Store in containers, close the container tightly.

Vacuuming of fruits

Evacuation of drains is used in industrial production, in stores, and at home.The advantages of the method are that the fruits are not exposed to harmful environments, the particles do not become weathered, and they are stored longer. For vacuuming, you will need a special device that reliably glues the edges of the package, having previously removed all the air. Be sure to check the quality of the packaging; if there is even a tiny hole, the plums will begin to deteriorate quite quickly, and it will not be possible to prevent this process. At home, even after the process, it is recommended to store plums in cool conditions - in the refrigerator, cellar, basement.

Sweet plum in sugar

There is another great way to store fruits - candied. The first stage of preparation is to sprinkle generously with sugar, place in an enamel bowl, and wait until the sweet crystals are completely dissolved. Place the plums in clean jars, refill them with sugar, and immediately send them to a cool room, having previously sealed the containers hermetically.

The shelf life of the treat is up to a year. Use for making sweets, as a filling for pies, and prepare desserts.

Plum fruits are enjoyed by adults and children; the fruits are universal - they go well not only with pastry dough, but even with meat or vegetables. By following the storage rules, you can easily enjoy aromatic and juicy delicacies during the frosty winter, which will give the body an abundance of vitamins and nutrients.