Wild Plumb jelly (Prunus americana)
I want to share one of my favorite wild trees with you, the wild plumb. These can vary is sweetness from tree to tree. This tree is not a sweet plumb but they make great jellies. You don't really even have to use an added pectin. The greener fruits will supply all the pectin needed for a jelly. You can find these trees fruiting middle to late summer in fence rows and near the edge of forested areas.
Wild Plum Tree
Most of the fruit will be high on the tree out of reach of the local wild life. The deer and raccoon love these plumb almost as much as I do.
Close up of the Leaves
The Fruit
The white stuff coating the fruit is a natural yeast. You can use it for breads, wine or anything that you would use a store bought yeast for. That why the wild plum is also a favorite of many people for the making of plumb brandy.
Inside of a ripe fruit
The inside of the fruit should have only one "seed" or pit, Just like a store bought plumb.
Boiling for jelly
After cleaning and rinsing the plumbs with cold water. Place them in a pot cover them with water, If your not using added pectin then Bring them to a roiling boil then cover the pot turn to a lowest setting on your stove simmer for about 4 hours. If you are using an added pectin like apple or sure-gel then just boil them for about 15 min then smash them with a potato smasher. And simmer for another 30 min before you strain them. I use 5 1/2 cups juice to 7 cups of sugar to make jelly. The jelly comes out tart but with a sweetness from the sugar its really quite good.
As you can see below the jelly has a really nice ruby red color when finished.
The best way to gather the fruit is with a ground cloth, tarp or bed sheet. Just lay your sheet out on the ground under the tree. Then shake the tree gravity does the rest of the work.
photos are property of a Buzzard