7 simple recipes for pickled plums for the winter

Plums are a versatile culinary product, as they can be used in a wide variety of preserves. Pickled plums are a popular winter food, and their simple recipes will add variety to your diet on cold evenings. Thanks to their exceptional flavor, plums complement any salad or sandwich, make an excellent side dish for meat dishes, a filling for stuffed poultry, and even serve as a standalone appetizer with strong drinks.

The subtleties of preparing pickled plums

Soaking plums is one of the simplest ways to preserve plums for the winter. This method preserves the maximum amount of vitamins, and the ascorbic acid content in soaked plums actually increases. The resulting flavor is characterized by astringency, sourness, and sharpness.

The process for marinating healthy fruits is as follows: press the prepared fruit into a chosen container and pour in the marinade prepared according to the recipe. The marinating process takes about 3-4 weeks, after which it can be used as intended. After marinating, the plums acquire their characteristic flavor and unique aroma.

If you follow the instructions of your chosen recipe exactly, the result will exceed all expectations.

Selection and preparation of ingredients and containers

For harvesting, it's best to choose firm varieties with firm flesh: Vengerka, Ternovka, Alycha, and Metelka. They withstand soaking well and acquire a vibrant flavor and aroma.

Proper preparation of the main product is crucial, as it determines the quality of the final product. Before preparation, the fruit must be sorted, removing any moldy or rotten specimens, signs of disease or pest activity, or any mechanical damage. The sorted fruit should then be washed under running water.

Large wooden barrels, buckets, enamel pots, and 3-liter jars can be used as containers for this savory preparation. Thorough sterilization of all containers will help protect the snack from various pathogens.

Important! It is strictly forbidden to use metal utensils, as they oxidize during the soaking process, imparting an unpleasant taste to the fruit.

The best recipes for winter

Every housewife tries to stock up on as many winter preserves as possible, so for variety, you can try pickled plum recipes.

The classic method of cooking in jars

To replenish your cellar supplies in the fall, you can make delicious pickled plums. The recipe is simple and requires a minimum of ingredients:

• 10 kg plums;
• 5 liters of water;
• 150 g sugar;
• 75 g salt;
• cherry and currant leaves.

Sequence of actions:

1. Dry the washed plums with a towel and place them in a saucepan.
2. Make a brine from salt, sugar and water.
3. Pour the cooled marinade into a container with prepared plums and garnish with currant or cherry leaves on top.
4. Cover the container with gauze and leave to ferment.
5. After a week, cover with a lid and place in the cellar until fully cooked, which will take 1 month.

The shelf life of such a preparation is 6 months.

An unusual recipe with rye bread

To give the appetizer a unique flavor, you can add rye bread. This recipe is popular among experienced cooks, as the brine has a kvass-like flavor.

Necessary components:

• 10 kg plums;
• 5 liters of water;
• 300 g rye bread;
• 200 g salt;
• 200 g sugar;
• spices to taste.

Step by step manufacturing guide:

1. Place the washed plums in a saucepan.
2. Take a separate container, put rye bread in it and pour in the brine, previously made from water, salt, and sugar.
3. Place the resulting mixture on the stove and, turning on low heat, wait until it boils.
4. Once the brine has cooled, strain it through cheesecloth and pour it over the prepared fruit.
5. Place a weight on top and put it in a warm place for 2 days to ferment, after which send the mixture to the basement.

You can start tasting it after 1 month.

A fragrant preparation with mustard and spices

Spices are always welcome; they add a touch of sophistication to any appetizer. You can also enhance the dish by adding mustard. This will not only enhance the flavor of your winter preserves, but also make them significantly more aromatic.

For a savory appetizer you will need:

• 10 kg plums;
• 2 tbsp. sugar;
• 1 tbsp vinegar;
• 2 tbsp mustard (powder);
• 0.5 tsp cinnamon;
• 5 cloves;
• 1 tbsp star anise;
• 10 peppercorns;
• 5 liters of water.

Cooking processes according to the recipe:

1. Make the marinade by boiling water with salt, sugar, and spices. Finally, add vinegar and cool the mixture to room temperature.
2. Fill the jars with plums and immediately pour in the marinade.
3. Seal using iron lids and put under a warm blanket until completely cooled.

After a month, you will be able to take a sample.

Treat with honey

This interesting preparation with a pleasant honey taste and aroma requires the following ingredients:

• 10 kg plums;
• 5 liters of water;
• 0.1 kg of salt;
• 0.4 kg of honey.

How to properly soak fruits using this recipe:

1. Take a 10 liter bucket or wooden barrel and fill it with fruit.
2. Pour in the boiling brine made from honey, salt and water.
3. Once the contents of the container have cooled, place a plate on top, cover with gauze, press down with a weight and place in a warm room for 2-3 days.
4. After the time has elapsed, transfer the preparation to a cold place.

You can enjoy the plums' flavor in just 3-4 weeks. They have a shelf life of 4-5 months.

Five-Minute Recipe

A quick recipe that requires little time and a small amount of ingredients:

• 5 liters of water;
• 10 kg plums;
• 75 g salt;
• 250 g sugar.

Technology for making a savory snack:

1. Distribute the fruits into sterilized jars.
2. Boil brine from water, sugar and salt.
3. Fill the jars with the cooled marinade and close them using plastic lids.
4. Send the canned goods to the cold.

With malt

To make a delicious snack for the winter, you need to have the following ingredients on hand:

• 10 kg plums;
• 150 g salt;
• 250 g sugar;
• 150 g of straw, wheat or rye;
• 5 liters of water.

The recipe requires the following processes to be carried out:

1. Wait for the water to boil, then dissolve the salt and sugar in it. Pour the resulting solution over the straw and let it steep for about 2 hours.
2. Wash the fruits and pack them into jars or barrels.
3. Pour the infused brine into containers, after straining it.
4. Seal the jars with plastic lids and place them in a warm place. After 3 days, refrigerate.

The snack can be tasted after 3-4 weeks; its readiness can be determined by the soft plums with a sweet and sour taste and the pink brine with a characteristic aroma.

Recipe for quick pickled plums

Pickled plums made according to this recipe are dense and aromatic.

This preparation is suitable as an original snack, and the brine can be consumed as a drink.

This quick recipe requires the following ingredients:

• 10 kg plums;
• 5 liters of water;
• 1 glass of vinegar;
• 8 tbsp. sugar;
• 1 tbsp. salt.

Stages of making pickled plums:

1. Fill sterilized jars with washed fruit up to the neck.
2. Make a brine with water and dissolve salt and sugar in it. Bring the mixture to a boil and remove from the stove.
3. Combine the cooled marinade with vinegar.
4. Pour the brine into the jars and close them using nylon lids, and put them in a cool place.

After storing for 2 weeks, you can try the plums and decide whether to leave them to soak for a while longer or to serve them.

How and how long to store canned food?

The finished product should be placed in a cool room or in the refrigerator and stored for no more than six months.