Magiun de Prune (Romanian Plum Jam)
Magiun de prune is a traditional Romanian plum jam, often made without added sugar, relying on the natural sweetness of the plums. It's a thick, concentrated spread with a deep, rich flavor, perfect for toast, pastries, or as a filling.
🧂 Ingredients
- 5 kg Ripe plums(pitted, can use a mix of varieties)
- 0 optional Sugar(only if plums are not very sweet)
- 8 tbsp Vinegar(optional, for preservation and tang)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Wash the plums thoroughly. Remove the pits and cut them in half or quarters. Don't worry about uniformity, as they will break down during cooking.
- 2
Place the cut plums in a large, heavy-bottomed pot. If using, add the vinegar.
- 3
Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the plums release their juices and begin to soften. This can take about 30-60 minutes.
- 4
Once the plums are bubbling, reduce the heat to low. Continue cooking, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until the mixture thickens considerably and reduces by about half. This can take 1.5 to 2 hours.
- 5
The jam is ready when it has a thick, paste-like consistency. You can test this by placing a small amount on a cold plate; it should not spread out too much.
- 6
If you are adding sugar, do so in the last hour of cooking, stirring until dissolved.
- 7
Ladle the hot jam into sterilized jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of headspace. Seal the jars tightly.
- 8
Process the jars in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes to ensure proper sealing, or store in the refrigerator for shorter shelf life.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Use very ripe plums for the best flavor and natural sweetness.
- ✓A heavy-bottomed pot is essential to prevent scorching.
- ✓Stirring frequently is crucial, especially as the jam thickens.
🔄 Variations
- Some recipes include a small amount of sugar if the plums are not sweet enough.
- A pinch of cinnamon or cloves can be added for extra spice.