Yellow Plums

Supersprout how do you bottle plums?
I still go out scrumping in autumn at my age and always pick too much :D

Last time I picked yellow plums was with my dad when I was about 28, we sneaked into an old orchard and nicked some, LOL!!

 

This is the method I use ...

Wash fruit and discard any doubtful ones.
Wash and dry the jars.(I'm assuming you are using rubber sealed preserving jars) Check the rubber ring, making sure they are not torn..and the jars are not chipped. This will affect the sealing.
Fill the jars as full as possible with the plums.
Cover fruit with hot syrup (1 sugar to 2 water)
Put the jars into a pan (or sterilising bucket) with hot water to cover the tops by at least 1 inch. Note that they are standing on a plate to stop the bottom of the jars getting too hot and overcooking. You can use a proper rack, bits of wood or any other suitable material to keep the bottom of the jars away from the pan bottom.

Cover the pan and simmer for about 20/25 minutes. The compromise is between getting the centre of the jars hot enough to kill the bugs, without overcooking the fruit.
Cool quickly under a tap and lift out the jars. The fruit will rise a little in the jars as it cooks. To minimise this, make sure the jars are tightly packed with fruit, and cool quickly so that they donââ?¬â?¢t overcook ââ?¬â?? leave them in cold water until they are quite cold.
Store in a cool place. M-L