How to store and cook plums
Aussie summers and stone fruit such as juicy plums go hand in sticky hand. The sweet flavours of these gorgeous stone fruits aren’t only incredible when eaten fresh from the fridge, they also shine through when cooked. Here’s what you need to know about how to store and cook plums.
It’s often the cooking process that intensifies the sweet, aromatic flavours in the fruit. So if you’re looking for inspiration around the sunny season, look no further than your fruit bowl.
How to store plums
- Choose plums that are blemish free and are firm (but not rock hard) and shiny.
- Once you get them home, if they are under-ripe, store at room temperature in a paper bag for 2-3 days. This will help to ripen them.
- If they are ripe, keep in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer for up to 5 days depending on ripeness.
How to cook plums
We have three top ways to cook and prepare your plums.
1. Grilled
Grilling stone fruit such as plums, creates a smoky caramelised sensation like no other. Either on the BBQ or using a pan, stone fruit is best grilled over a moderate heat.
2. Poached
Poaching intensifies plum's unique flavour, and should soften its flesh just enough to soak up the aromatic flavours in which it’s bathed. Try aromatics like vanilla, cardamom, cinnamon, star anise or even white wine, the flavour combinations are endless.
3. Roasted
Roasting is an easy and fuss-free way to bring the perfumed flavours of plums to another level. It is also a great way to make the most out of fruit that is slightly under-ripe.
Health benefits of plums
As with other purplish fruit and veg, the deep skin and flesh colour of plums points to the fact that it contains anthocyanin. That antioxidant powerhouse. Plums are also high in other antioxidants and vitamins and minerals, as well as fibre.
Plum recipes
Now that we’ve whet your appetite, here are some recipes that make plums shine. If you're interested in even more recipes with stone fruit like peaches, nectarines and apricots, be sure to check out this stone fruit recipe collection!
GET THE RECIPE: Sticky Asian Pork Belly with Plums by Summer Stonefruit
Sticky plum sauce, succulent roast pork and crispy crackling. This is one cracker of a meal, and the plums gives the sauce stunning colour.
GET THE RECIPE: Healthy Plum Slice by Summer Stonefruit
This plum slice tastes so good, and it's packed to the brim with nutritious wholefood ingredients. They're best stored in the fridge, making them a lovely chilled snack.
