Damsons, like many other fruits, freeze really well. Make sure theyre nice and fresh and wash them thoroughly before placing them in a freezer-safe bag.
How do you prepare damsons for freezing?
Rinse and pick over the damsons to remove any leaves and stalks, then pat dry, tip into a freezer bag and freeze overnight.
How do you store damsons?
Damsons. They will store fresh for a week or two in the fridge. For longer storage, they make an excellent stronger flavoured plum type jam and can be bottled. Alternatively, store them in alcohol as in Wine and Liqueur.
What do you do with freshly picked damsons?
Damson recipes
- Damson gin. A star rating of 4.6 out of 5.
- Damson crumble. A star rating of 3.6 out of 5.
- Damson jam. A star rating of 3.7 out of 5.
- Damson jelly. A star rating of 4.3 out of 5.
- Spiced damson cheese. A star rating of 5 out of 5.
- Caraway oatcakes with stilton & damson jam.
- Damson vodka.
How do you get the stones out of damsons?
Cook the damsons in a preserving pan with the water gently for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. At the same time cook the stones in a separate medium sized pan with 20 mls of water for 20 minutes. When the stones have cooked put them in a sieve and squeeze with the back of a wooden spoon for a couple of minutes.
Can you use frozen damsons to make jam?
Remove the stones from the damsons and pop them into a large stock pot or jam making pan. (If you are using frozen damsons, let them thaw partially, then remove them with a cherry pitter). Add 300ml/10½fl oz of water and bring to a simmer. Cook the fruit for 20 minutes or until very soft.
Can you eat damsons straight from the tree?
Damsons are a really reliable fruit and reward the gardener with a good harvest of delicious plump fruit for eating straight from the tree or making into jams, pies and crumbles.
Do you need to wash fruit before freezing?
Wash and dry the fruit: Rinse the fruit under cool running water, using a bit of soap or fruit wash if you prefer. Lay the fruit on a single layer on a clean dish towel and allow to dry. The fruit needs to be completely dry before freezing or the fruit will quickly develop freezer burn.
Can you freeze plums with stones in?
Can You Freeze Plums With the Stone In? Plums with the stone in will freeze but there’s no reason to freeze them in this way. Instead, cut them in half, remove the stone and then freeze. This will save you time in future.
Can I freeze stewed damsons?
The stewed plums will store well in the fridge for 3 – 4 days, or for up to 6 months in the freezer. The nutrition information below is an estimate only; the nutrition counts of your dish will vary based on the brands and exact amounts of ingredients used.
Are damsons good for you?
Damson plums are considered a fruit with a high concentration of bioactive compounds, such as vitamins (A, C, and E). They also contain other compounds, which contribute to their antioxidant capacity, helping remove or neutralise free radicals that can cause cellular damage to humans.
What do you do with damsons after making damson gin?
Damsons that have been strained from their liquor can be stoned and stirred into the cooking juices of a roast loin of pork or fillet of venison. They look a little wrinkled, but are full of the flavours of gin and fruit and not to use them would be a terrible crime.
Why is my damson jam not setting?
We would suggest simmering the damsons just until they are soft then drawing the pan off the heat and picking out the stones (pits) before adding the sugar. The other main reason for jam not setting is that it wasn’t boiled for long enough once the sugar has dissolved, so did not reach setting point.
What is the easiest way to Destone damsons?
Damsons are clingstone fruit, with flesh that clings to the stone making them hard to remove. 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.
How do you freeze damson plums?
Below are the steps you need to take to freeze damsons:
- Wash. Place your damsons in a colander and run them under the cold tap for around thirty seconds, gently massaging them with your hands.
- Peel and Slice (Optional)
- Dry.
- Place in a Freezer-Safe Bag.
- Label and Freeze.
Can you cook damsons with the Stones in?
Since most damson plums are “clingstone,” it might be difficult to separate the stone from the fruit. If the pits are very stubborn, you can stew them whole with the pits left in.
Do you thaw frozen fruit before making jam?
Thaw Your Frozen Fruit
Frozen fruits can be used in the same way as you use fresh fruits, but you need to thaw them first and then proceed with the recipe. One thing to note, ensure that you don’t leave the frozen fruit out to thaw several hours.
Does freezing fruit destroy pectin?
There are two types of pectin, liquid (usually made from apples) and dry (from citrus fruits or apples). Powdered pectin can be stored in the freezer from one season to the next. Freezing will destroy the gel-producing qualities of liquid pectin, but liquid pectin will keep for two years in a cool, dry place.
Do damsons contain pectin?
Damsons also contain a high amount of pectin so there is no need to add in pectin or lemon juice to help achieve a good set. Sugar: Either white granulated or white caster sugar is ideal for this damson preserve recipe.
What month do you pick damsons?
Damsons are produced on trees and ready to harvest from August to October in the UK. They will come true from a saved stone, but you could be waiting many years for the tree to mature and bear fruit.
Are damson stones poisonous?
Damson stones contain the cyagenic glycoside amygdaline, a toxin that can lead to cyanide poisoning if taken in quantity (how much?) – don’t eat lots of damson stones, and don’t get any Walter White ‘crystal damson’ lab ideas!