Pitted Yellow Plum Jam for Winter

Cooking method

1. Step 1:

   

   How do you make yellow plum jam? Gather everything you'll need. The star, of course, is the plums—they should be ripe. I used regular white sugar, but cane or coconut sugar work too: cane sugar gives the finished jam a caramel note, and coconut sugar lends a coconut flavor.

2. Step 2:

   

   Rinse the plums well and pat them dry.

3. Step 3:

   

   Pit the plums by cutting them in half. If they're large, cut them into wedges. Put the plums in a heavy-bottomed pot—it's the best choice for cooking jam, since it keeps it from scorching.

4. Step 4:

   

   Cover the cut plums with the sugar, put a lid on, and let them sit for 8 to 10 hours so the fruit releases its juice. You can let them steep even longer—up to a full day.

5. Step 5:

   

   Juicy plums will give off plenty of liquid. If you like a spiced jam, now's the time to stir in seasonings: cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla all suit this jam well. Use them ground or whole—but if you use them whole, remember to fish out the pods, sticks, and buds at the end of cooking. Set the jam over the lowest heat and cook for 20 minutes, skimming off any foam as it forms. Then take it off the heat and let it cool.

6. Step 6:

   

   Return the jam to the heat, bring it back to a boil, and cook over low heat for another 20 minutes. Let it cool once more. You can ladle the jam into jars while it's still hot, but if you wait until it's cooled, it'll be thicker.

7. Step 7:

   

   Sterilize the jars however you like—microwave jars with a little water for 5 to 7 minutes, set them in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or simply steam them. The lids just need about 5 minutes in boiling water. Fill the jars with jam and close them tightly with screw-top or canning lids. This preserve doesn't need processing and keeps perfectly at room temperature.

8. Step 8:

   

   The jam comes out nice and thick: great for baking, lovely spooned over pancakes or ice cream, or just enjoyed with a family pot of tea. Enjoy!