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Plum crazy

Eaten out of hand or in a dish, there is a plum for every palate

From plumcots to prunes, plums come in many varieties, colors and textures. Sweet, juicy fresh plums are in season May to September, while dried plums (or prunes) are available year-round. Plum-apricot hybrids, known as plumcots or pluots, are the result of natural breeding dating back to the 1920s. Plumcots are 50-50 plum to apricot, while pluots have more plum, with a 75-25 plum to apricot ratio.

Fresh plums provide about 10% of the recommended daily amount (RDA) of vitamin C in just two pieces of fruit. Plums also provide small amounts of other nutrients, including vitamin A, vitamin K and potassium. And their deep purple skin is rich in anthocyanins, an antioxidant that may help reduce the risk of heart disease.

Although prunes lack vitamin C, just four prunes provide 3 grams of fiber and 20% of the RDA for vitamin K, and they are slightly higher than plums in some B vitamins and minerals, including potassium. Prunes are also a natural source of sorbitol, a sugar alcohol known for its laxative properties and ability to boost beneficial gut bacteria.

Eating tips

Fresh plums and plumcots are perfect for snacking or adding a pop of color and flavor to summer salads or appetizers. With their unique mottled skin, plumcots are a unique addition to fruit and cheese boards.

Make plum pepper salsa to top fish, chicken or pork. Grill, then fill, plum halves with ice cream for a quick dessert. Bake sliced plums to jammy perfection in cakes or cobblers, or cook them into a compote.

Selecting and storing plums

Choose fresh plums with smooth skin. Ripe fruit will feel slightly heavy for their size and give slightly to gentle pressure. Leave whole, unripe plums at room temperature to ripen, and store ready-to-eat ones in the refrigerator for three to five days.

Stored properly, prunes maintain peak quality for at least six months. Select prunes that appear plump, soft, moist and shiny. Prunes are best refrigerated in the resealed original package after opening.

No matter which plum you pick, it’s bound to add flavor, color and nutrition to any dish.

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