Plums (Halved or Whole)
Quantity: An average of 14 pounds is needed per canner load of 7 quarts; an average of 9 pounds is needed per canner load of 9 pints. A bushel weighs 56 pounds and yields 22 to 36 quarts – an average of 2 pounds per quart.
Quality: Select deep-colored, mature fruit of ideal quality for eating fresh or cooking. Plums may be packed in water or syrup.
Procedure: Stem and wash plums. To can whole, prick skins on two sides of plums with fork to prevent splitting. Freestone varieties may be halved and pitted. If you use syrup, prepare very light, light, or medium syrup.
Hot pack - Add plums to water or hot syrup and boil 2 minutes. Cover saucepan and let stand 20 to 30 minutes. Fill jars with hot plums and cooking liquid or syrup, leaving 1/2-inch headspace.
Raw pack - Fill jars with raw plums, packing firmly. Add hot water or syrup, leaving 1/2-inch headspace.
Adjust lids and process.
| Recommended process time for Plums, halved or whole in a boiling-water canner. | |||||
| Process Time at Altitudes of | |||||
| Style of Pack | Jar Size | 0 - 1,000 ft | 1,001 - 3,000 ft | 3,001 - 6,000 ft | Above 6,000 ft |
| Hot and Raw | Pints Quarts | 20 min 25 |
25 30 |
30 35 |
35 40 |
| Process Times for Plums in a Dial-Gauge Pressure Canner. | ||||||
| Canner Pressure (PSI) at Altitudes of | ||||||
| Style of Pack | Jar Size | Process Time (Min) | 0 - 2,000 ft | 2,001 - 4,000 ft | 4,001 - 6,000 ft | 6,001 - 8,000 ft |
| Hot and Raw | Pints or Quarts | 10 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Process Times for Plums in a Weighted-Gauge Pressure Canner. | ||||
| Canner Pressure (PSI) at Altitudes of |
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| Style of Pack | Jar Size | Process Time (Min) | 0 - 1,000 ft | Above 1,000 ft |
| Hot and Raw | Pints or Quarts | 10 | 5 | 10 |
(adapted from the "Complete Guide to Home Canning," Agriculture Information Bulletin No. 539, USDA, 2006 revision)