JJ Posted July 16, 2006 Share Posted July 16, 2006 We have a glut of various plums this year, have made loads of chutney but quite fancy trying to make some prunes.I have checked the internet, but no real success apart from one site suggesting that one dries the plums for 18 hours in a hot air oven.So, can anyone suggest how it is done,or is the above mentioned the only way?Many thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fulcrum Posted July 16, 2006 Share Posted July 16, 2006 [quote user="JJ"]We have a glut of various plums this year, have made loads of chutney but quite fancy trying to make some prunes.I have checked the internet, but no real success apart from one site suggesting that one dries the plums for 18 hours in a hot air oven.So, can anyone suggest how it is done,or is the above mentioned the only way?Many thanks.[/quote]The prune factory near us in 47 shoves them through a hot air oven. So I guess it is the way it's done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJSLIV Posted July 16, 2006 Share Posted July 16, 2006 The traditional way is sun-dried in trays. However I think unless you can find a 98 year old local who can remember all the "astuces", you would probably end up with compost bin fodder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JayJay Posted July 17, 2006 Share Posted July 17, 2006 Er......Hi JJ, [;-)]You need to use perfect plums. If you put them in boiling water for about a minute to get rid if the bloom, dry them & then put them on a non stick oven tray & in the oven on a very low heat for about 6-8 hours. Keep a check on them though. Any juice that comes out, you can baste them with, if you want, it makes them stickier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJ Posted July 17, 2006 Author Share Posted July 17, 2006 Thanks all,Will give the oven method a try, in view of the current weather might try some sun drying as well.Wish me luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Missy Posted July 17, 2006 Share Posted July 17, 2006 [quote user="JJ"]Thanks all,Will give the oven method a try, in view of the current weather might try some sun drying as well.Wish me luck.[/quote]Living in Charente I would have thought that the sun drying method was the more economical in this lovely sunny weather. Just need the patience.... I have seen old dears in South79, laying the fruits on some wire mesh stuff (it more or less looked like a tennis racket sort of mesh). This was propped up on small stones/bricks and left on a white table outside in the full sun. Every night it was taken into the kitchen to use the leftover heat from the cuisinière/chaudière and back out again next morning in the full sun. Presumably the white of the table would act as a reflector of heat, and the propping up would allow air to circulate and take away moisture from the fruits... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Afy Posted August 17, 2006 Share Posted August 17, 2006 All of my plums are composting ont he lawn, since my lovely wife decided not the pluck them, and I am working Denmark on 17 hr a day shifts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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