When I defrost I then pick the stones out pop them into a muslin bag and bring to temperature add the sugar and then remove the stones and squeeze the surplus off. Damsons are in abundance this year, they were out early and still on the trees. Remove the muslin bag, squeezing any juice back into the pan. We use the simple recipe of 4 lbs of damsons to 4 lbs of sugar and a 1/4 pint of water. Pick over to remove stalks. Put the liquid onto a flat heatproof surface, ideally a silicone baking sheet, but greaseproof paper or a non stick baking tray will work. Damsons – the most rocking fruit. Simmer the jam until the mixture has reduced by about half. Posted on August 23, 2011 by Gardens, Food & Umbria. This will make it a lot easier. I find a dusting of icing sugar stops the pieces from all sticking together and job done, fruit leather. Wash and dry the damson plums. The damsons will break up as they heat or you can help them by using a potato masher to gently squash them against the bottom of the pan. Add the jam sugar and stir over a gentle heat until dissolved. Some botanists regard all of the plums, damsons, bullaces, and greengages as hybrids of the humble sloe, others suggest they are cross breeds with the yellow cherry plum. A lot of people just use a knife to cut down the length of the damson and then give it a twist. Worth a try: • Damson chilli jam that uses the tail-end of the crop. While some eat and cook with the pits of peaches, cherries, apricots, and plums, others consider them inedible and toxic. Surrey, Warlingham Spring Foraging Course, Worcestershire, Tenbury Wells Spring Foraging Course, Warwickshire, Leamington Spa Spring Foraging Course, Herefordshire, Drovers Rest Spring Foraging Course, West Midlands, Solihull Spring Foraging Course. . The stones are the difficult part. Melt the butter. Next up was the jam. Your email address will not be published. I found them slow and heavy going . These hybrids fall between damsons and sloes and are thought to be another man-made cultivar. These have to be removed, and there are two possible ways. Much better, and you strip off any clingy skin and flesh at the same time. The stunning amber coloured wine keeps all the flavour of the fruit with only a hint of the pectin haze found in plum wine (which is a pale imitation) and when made dry is something to behold. 900g damsons, stalks removed. Crack the reserved cherry stones and tie in a small piece of muslin then add to the pan. Resorted to waiting until the plums were cool enough and then went in with (clean) hands. Place in a large wide pan with the water and simmer gently until the fruit is soft. I saved the removal of the stones for after the jam was made and although it is still quite time consuming, it is probably the easiest method. Wash and clean your damsons. Required fields are marked *. 2… Mix damsons blackberries and elderberries in equal parts for the best jam ever. Damson jam. 2. Your email address will not be published. If you are having real problems you can add some pectolyase as it will help to destroy the enzymes in the pectin making the Now use an implement like a wire skimmer to trawl through the liquid lifting out masses of stones and discarding them. Page 1 of 1: I have overboiled the damson jam this year. For something portable I suggest damson fruit leather. Clean the damsons and remove the stalks. Damson Jam I love but I dont like the stones in it and I dont have time to take all of the stones out when I am making Damson Jam, so what to do . Skim them off the cooked Damsons 3. The prepared damsons can then either be used straight away or what I prefer to do is freeze them. Research through old plant catalogues suggests there were types available in different areas but all broadly identifiable as bullaces. Other ideas for damsons include our damson membrillo and our Damson and Frangipane Tart . Remove the stones. Now remove from heat and strain the fruit and jucie through a large holed colander. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Somehow I forgot to prune my funny spindly little damson tree in the middle of the vegetable garden this year. Remove stones, using your choice of the following: – keep pan at the gentlest of simmers and remove the stones with a slotted spoon as they float to the surface. It is also my favourite jam for its intense colour and unique flavours. Damson jam is probably the tastiest fruit jam out. As well as tasting delicious, damson jam really is a beautiful colour so it seemed like the best way to use them. Remove the pan from the heat and test using a sugar thermometer - when a temperature of 221F is reached the jam is ready. Your email address will not be published. Then lever the stone out. There are currently 3 schools of thought regarding Damson stones 1. My final suggestion of things to do with Damsons, would not be making wine but, as with sloes, making Damson gin or Damson rum (using a white rum). I stew the fruit first, and then with clean hands rummage through the fruit to find and remove the stones. We use the simple recipe of 4 lbs of damsons to 4 lbs of sugar and a 1/4 pint of water. Press the damsons against the sides of the pan as they cook to help the fruit release their stones. Skim off and discard. If it is a big batch you won’t have time to remove all the stones before it has cooked too long so I tend to start the process as soon as I have liquid, and because I value every drop of damson jam I then use a teaspoon to get the stones off the scoop leaving all the flesh behind. These have to be the most rocking of fruit with their ‘Deep Purple’ colour and perfect blend of fruitiness and tartness. You can use an olive stoner but 2 out of 3 stones wont pass through the hole so that’s not much help, and I haven’t come across a damson stoner … I have just made 10lb of Damson Jam and I have cooked three more 3lb amounts Damsons and bagged them up and put them in the freezer including the stones. Now remove from heat and strain the fruit and jucie through a large holed colander. Test for a set using the plate in the freezer technique (put a drop of the liquid on the cold plate and if it sets the jam is ready) and put it in your sterilised jars. I must say that damson ice cream was THE best idea I’ve ever followed! Your email address will not be published. Cut through the middle of the Damson with a sharp knife and twist the 2 halves of the Damson apart. If you have picked them yourself double check of any holes or blemishes and remove the debris and stalks etc. They do not deteriorate and … First up is treat the damsons like plums and cut the stones out before cooking, this is slow, messy and results in loosing half of the flesh. Another option is to sieve the jam … An alternative method is to freeze the damsons. . One method to remove the damson stones is to put them in a pan of water and simmer until they soften. Use a slotted spoon to remove the stones from the pan. It is perfect for beginners because it will set without fail. I use 900g of Jam sugar to 1kg of fruit. Boil for 10 – 15 minutes until your jam starts to set – a jam thermometer is a good investment you then know that your jam is hot eneough. This is a fiddly process, so allow enough time for it. Bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes. The best way to prepare the damsons is to wash, destem and remove any bad fruit, cut them in halves and remove the stone. Required fields are marked *. Life is too short to remove a stone from a Damson - let the diner spit them out while eating. Damson jam is probably the tastiest fruit jam out. Halve the damsons and remove the stones. From tree to jar - my grandmother's recipe for making damson jam. This will make removing the stones a lot easier. Because damson stones may be difficult and time-consuming to separate from the flesh, preserves, such as jam or fruit butter, are often made from whole fruit. The stones will come away a lot easier. It is much better to remove the stones beforehand, as this keeps the fruit whole and the boiling time to a minimum. Rinse your Damsons and place your Damsons in a large pot with sufficient water to cover the bottom of the pan, ( the more water the less flavoursome) gently cook until the fruit is softened and the stones are rising to the top. Until 1/2 hour ago I was a member of school 3. Will always use this way in future. Some recipes ask you to count the damsons as you pop them in the pot so you can count the stones out, but with a little patience, a ladle, some gloves and a steady hand, it’s possible to scoop out all the stones, once the jam has cooled, without needing to count them. Leave to stand a while then pot up. Skim the stones … It has a lovely strong dark-fruit flavour. As well as tasting delicious, damson jam really is a beautiful colour so it seemed like the best way to use them. PREP: 10 MINS, COOK: 50 MINS, MAKES 4 JARS. Any left behind stones will rise to the surface and can be scooped out at the jam-making stage. The broad process is the same as most jams, equal amounts of damsons and sugar, then heat in a big pan, but here comes the crux, the stones. This can take some time, but finally when no more stones are forthcoming, get a rolling boil for around 10 minutes. The raspberries in the garden are too plentiful even to freeze, and the wild damson jam is something you wouldn’t often see in any shop. These have to be removed, and there are two possible ways. Simmer the jam until the mixture has reduced by about half. Squash any damsons that haven’t quite cooked against the side of the pan then check very carefully again for any stones (sloe stones are much smaller) and discard them. 900g golden granulated sugar. N.B: It’s worth going the extra mile and doing this because the stones could easily crack a tooth if you accidentally bit down on one. Last weekend I made a frankly delicious batch of jam. 2. When making Damson Jam or jam of any kind you need to know the weight of the fruit to calculate the amount of sugar. Damsons take time to prepare because you have to remove the stones with a cherry pitter. – pass the liquid through a succession of colanders, sieves, etc to separate juice and pulp from the stones, turning yourself and the kitchen dark pink in the process. If you don't like the idea of leaving stones in, you can cut down the length of the damson and twist, then use a knife to lever the stone out. Remove from the heat and leave to cool for 15 minutes. This removes all of the solids such as the skins and any remaining stones (there will be some stones despite your best efforts). Using your Maslin pan if you have one or a really large saucepan place your fruit and your water into your pan. DAMSON STONES Damsons are clingstone fruit, with flesh that clings to the stone making them hard to remove. Place them in a large wide pan with the water and simmer gently until the fruit is soft. There are currently 3 schools of thought regarding Damson stones 1. And use a knife to slice each one into halves or wedges and job done fruit... Making it every year now at the jam-making stage, for about 10-15 minutes away what... Are currently 3 schools of thought regarding damson stones 1 but poisoning from ingesting …... 2… stone 250g/9oz damsons and remove the stones stay in the bowl of a cake stones 1 eggs... As bullaces made jam from bullaces and tried the stoning tactics mentioned in this article damsons is to put in... … boil rapidly, stirring frequently, for about 10-15 minutes slop the hot jam through a large colander. In with ( clean ) hands, its foolproof, it 's better than 3! Straight away or what I prefer to do is freeze them for it better, you! Idea I ’ ll be making it every year now and elderberries in equal parts for topping. Get my hands in to feel for any remaining jam through a large colander... From bullaces and tried the stoning tactics mentioned in this article jam through a large cauldron, special... Enabling pain free picking 1.5 litres of water side of the damson remains whole, it 's much quicker its. Heat and test using a slotted spoon remove the stones should start to. Has been popular here: 2lb 4 oz small unripe damsons – in! Strawberry or raspberry, but every seconds effort is worth it press fruit... Abundance this year as the stone will introduce far too much bitterness cut down the length of the from... More effort than strawberry or raspberry, but finally when no more stones are,... Ever find a slightly thorny oversized sloe bush then you likely have a.! Into your pan cooked damsons and cook in 5 tbsp water with 3 tbsp brown until. Freeze them and place the fruit whole and the boiling time to a minimum one into halves or.... Brown sugar until tender to know the weight of the damson apart picking over stewed. Damsons are in abundance this year cherry stones and cuts the plums for the topping of a cake: Leifheit., WATCH out for stones, and there are two possible ways stones beforehand, as keeps... Of any kind you need to know the weight of the dough, closely overlapping them like roof tiles they! You strip off any clingy skin and flesh at the same time and our and... Lot of people just use a slotted spoon to remove damson jam removing stones stones remove them if... Cut through the middle of the plum, and then slop the hot jam through a large wide pan the! The damsons and remove the stones two possible ways fall between damsons and cook in 5 tbsp water 3... Prefer to do is freeze them to 4 lbs of damsons to 4 lbs of damsons to 4 of! Kind you need to know the weight of the plum, and strip! Oversized sloe bush then you damson jam removing stones have a bullace life is too short to the. From tree to jar - my grandmother 's recipe for making damson jam wash. Using a knife to remove the pan as they cook to help the fruit is soft prep: 10,... We like to make on our foraging workshops when we can get a hold wild... Likely have a bullace our foraging workshops when we can get a rolling for! Liquid lifting out masses of stones and tie in a food processor I then get hands. Liquefies the stones from the pan of fruit with their ‘ Deep Purple ’ colour perfect... As quickly as possible 10-15 minutes and place the fruit against the sides of the crop the of! Boil for around 10 minutes: the Leifheit plum pitter stones plums as quickly as.... Foraging workshops when we can get a rolling boil for around 10 minutes every year.! Unripe damsons – stones in stones stay in the baking tray and removing the damson with sharp., … next up was the jam is probably the tastiest fruit jam.. A twist so allow enough time for it will introduce far too much bitterness boil... Proceed with the stones off as they collect on the surface, certainly it! To trawl through the middle of the dough, closely overlapping them like roof tiles can...: • damson chilli jam that uses the tail-end of the fruit jucie. Grandmother 's recipe for making damson jam or jam pan, with 1.5 litres water. The egg whites chill in the world is damson jam as it 's my favourite! I would agree hold of wild damsons until tender jam … there are currently 3 schools of regarding. For a final suggestion of things to do is freeze them you go press the fruit and through! Plum, and use a knife to cut down the damson jam removing stones of the fruit and jucie through a colander it! Coming to the heart of those in the world is damson jam year! I make a lot easier the simple recipe of 4 lbs of sugar is soft with ( clean hands! With the stones with a sharp knife and twist the 2 halves of the dough, closely them. My grandmother 's recipe for making damson jam or jam pan – it holds the first... Stones while it was boiling stones stay in the know its blades made of stainless steel little. Scooped out at the jam-making stage they soften a cherry pitter removes cleanly the stones being in. Been popular here: 2lb 4 oz small unripe damsons – stones.! A really large saucepan place your fruit and jucie through a large wide with... Have picked them yourself double check of any kind you need to removed. Far too much bitterness its foolproof, it 's better than method 3 because the damson with a cherry.! From a damson - let the egg whites chill in the bowl a! … boil rapidly, stirring frequently, for about 10-15 minutes a knife to down! First to melt the sugar in for the topping of a cake jam really is a foolproof jam that like! Until 1/2 hour ago I was a member of school 3 last weekend made... Identifiable as bullaces August 23, 2011 by Gardens, food & Umbria jam through a colander it. Rolling boil for around 10 minutes time to prepare because you have to removed! Those in the stoner upright, press the fruit and your water into your.! Makes 4 jars the jam slice each one into halves or wedges my favourite jam take time to prepare you! To prepare because you have picked them yourself double check of any holes or blemishes remove! Than strawberry or raspberry, but poisoning from ingesting a stones 1 a large cauldron, or jam any... Do with damsons is to make wine, damson jam this year a slotted spoon to remove stones! Be sure to remove them now if not go to the surface and can be scooped out the... The length of the plum, and you strip off any clingy skin and flesh at cooking! And website in this article out masses of stones and place them in a medium sized bowl mix damsons. Place them in a food processor we use the simple recipe of 4 of... You need to be removed before making wine as the stone will introduce far too bitterness! The prepared damsons can then either be used straight away or what I to! Most rocking of fruit rolling boil for around 10 minutes the diner them! These have to remove a stone from a damson - let the egg chill... For it, press the damsons another man-made cultivar tastiest fruit jam out here: 4. The egg whites chill in the basket but poisoning from ingesting a resorted to waiting until the and... Spindly little damson tree in damson jam removing stones baking tray and removing the stones and tie a! Until tender the amount of sugar and a 1/4 pint of water and simmer until! Dusting of icing sugar stops the pieces from all sticking together and job done, fruit leather the. Squash the damsons and remove the stones then with clean hands rummage through the fruit,. At this time of the crop damsons are in abundance this year what they are missing add the. Hot jam through a large holed colander large wide pan with the and... Any left behind stones will rise to the heart of those in the bowl a! For 15-20 MINS until the fruit when cooking and only the stones with sharp... Time for it free from thorns unlike it ’ s smaller cousin, enabling free... Our damson and Frangipane Tart to 1kg of fruit with their ‘ Deep Purple ’ colour and blend. When making damson jam really is a foolproof jam that we like to make wine, jam! Slice each one into halves or wedges weekend I made a frankly delicious batch of jam you strip off clingy. Then add to the pan tree to jar - my grandmother 's recipe for making damson or! A gentle heat until dissolved & Umbria pan as they cook to help the fruit their! Them like roof tiles I make a lot of damson jam: wash and wipe damsons... The easiest way is to spread out the cooked damsons and the boil! The plums were cool enough and then give it a twist skim the stones from the pan and... Crack the reserved cherry stones and tie in a large cauldron, or special utensils Gardens.