Welcome to our weekly series where we’ll let you know what fruit and vegetables are market fresh this week, give you handy storage tips and recipes to make the most of seasonal produce.
Plums are at their sweetest and juiciest between January and April meaning right now is the perfect time to slice them up and add their pretty Autumn hues to warm bowls of porridge, fluffy pancakes, slices or Sunday roasts.
Plums are an excellent source of vitamin C and fibre, offering numerous health benefits, including supporting bone health, promoting heart health, aiding digestion, boosting immunity and potentially aiding in weight and diabetes management.
When selecting fruit, look for plums that are firm and plump without wrinkled skin. Unripe fruit can be kept at room temperature for up to a week; once ripe, store in the fridge for up to five days.
The colour of the skin is a good indicator of ripeness. Most plum varieties are either a rich dark red, deep blue, or yellow. Avoid any fruit that is still green as it will be unripe.
You can freeze plums, either whole or sliced, and they will keep their flavour and freshness for up to six months. Gently wash and dry the fruit, cut them in half and remove the pit; slice into wedges or cubes for easier use later.
For easier peeling you can briefly blanch the plums in boiling water, then immediately cool them in a cold-water bath. If freezing sliced plums, arrange them in a single layer on a baking tray lined with plastic wrap or baking paper.
Freeze until the plums are solid, then transfer them to resealable plastic bags or airtight containers with the date and keep them frozen until ready to use.
Here are three easy ways to put plums on the family dinner plate this week:
Made with roasted plums, this sticky chicken tray bake recipe is the ultimate mix of sweet and savoury. Skip the mess and try out this tray bake one night this week, serve with steamed rice for the ultimate family dinner.
Treat the family to these spicy plum lamb cutlets with noodle stir-fry. It makes for an easy, tasty and wholesome dinner everyone will love. Tick!
Dressed in a sweet maple vinaigrette, this warm Autumn salad is definitely one to add to the list. Filled with pork and plum, this flavourful dish makes the most of the seasonal fruit and vegetables.
