Hmm, ummm, yum…

Yesterday, I noticed that the plums are beginning to turn rosy red. These are usually the first fruits to be ready around here. The limbs are bent down with the promise of a bountiful crop. The reward of some hard work, attetion and God’s gift of renewal and growth, yet another year.

It will be a few days yet, but it is time to prepare the drying racks. Hubby wants to try drying some this year. Usually we eat some fresh and make jelly or plum butter, then let neighbors and the ‘critters’ have what is left.

After having plenty of squishy plums on the ground last year, Hubby cut some of the trees. It sees that those remaining are making up for the loss. There are still going to be more than enough.

Granny Shipman used to dry them, spreading the pitted plums on cheese cloth and covering them with another layer, they would rest in the shade. Bringing them in at night so the dew would not get on them.

Personally, I am in favor of my dehydrator. I like the idea of controlled temperature and it does the job faster. No offense, Granny! Might make some fruit leather too. for that, you puree the fruit, add a smidgen of lemon juice and dry it in the dehydrator on sheets of plastic wrap.

We will see how this goes…