Plums in season are a rare treat. Use them to make these special seasonal dishes that accentuate their fruity summer goodness. And peaches would work as a substitute for plums in any of these (for when you can’t find plums).
Fresh Plum Salsa
Recipe by “farmfresh” at All Recipes
Ingredients:
- 2 large tomatoes, diced
- ½ small red onion, diced
- 4 plums, pitted and diced
- 1 poblano pepper, seeded and finely chopped
- 8 sprigs fresh cilantro, chopped (Optional)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
Directions:
Mix tomatoes, onion, plums, poblano chile pepper, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, salt, black pepper, and chili powder in a bowl; cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until flavors blend, at least 1 hour. Makes 12 servings.
Cook’s Note: For hotter salsa, add 1/4 teaspoon powdered cayenne pepper and an additional fresh chopped habanero or serrano pepper.
Plum Flummery (Mousse)
Recipe by Kellie Constable at All Recipes
Ingredients:
- 2 cups plums, pitted and sliced
- 1 (.25 ounce) package unflavored gelatin
- ½ cup hot water
- ½ cup white sugar
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ cup evaporated milk
- 1 tablespoon water (Optional)
Directions:
- Place plums into a saucepan over medium-low heat. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until soft, 5 to 10 minutes. Cool, 15 to 30 minutes.
- Combine ½ cup hot water and gelatin powder in a bowl until granules are completely dissolved. Mix in cooled plums, sugar, and lemon juice until sugar is dissolved. Chill in the refrigerator until gelatin mixture begins to thicken, about 30 minutes.
- Beat evaporated milk in a bowl with an electric mixer until thick: spoon into plum mixture and beat until fluffy. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours. Makes 5 servings.
Cook’s Note: When cooking the plums, you may need to add 1 tablespoon water if the mixture becomes too thick or starts to burn.
Whipped Ricotta with Honey and Summer Fruit
Recipe by Shelby Tarkany at All Recipes
Ingredients:
- ¾ pound fresh ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pint fresh figs, halved
- 1 pint fresh strawberries, halved
- 3 plums, pitted and sliced into eighths
- ½ cup honey
- freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 3 sprigs fresh mint, or more to taste
Directions:
- Beat ricotta cheese, cream, and vanilla extract together in a bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
- Spread ricotta mixture onto a platter; top with figs, strawberries, and plum slices. Drizzle honey over the fruit and sprinkle black pepper over the top. Garnish with mint sprigs. Makes 6 servings.
Cook’s Note: You can easily substitute other fruits besides the figs, strawberries, and plums in this recipe. Peaches, blueberries, and blackberries for instance.
