If you try to peel a plum by simply pulling the peel, you risk crushing it and letting the delicious juice flow out unnecessarily. On the contrary, by blanching and dipping the plums in an ice water bath, you will be able to loosen the peel and then remove it easily. Whether you want to make a cake, a jam or just enjoy your plums without a peel, the method illustrated in this guide will allow you to peel them effectively.
Steps
Step 1. Bring water to a boil in a saucepan
It must be large enough to contain at least 4 or 5 plums. Use a quantity of water that allows the plums to completely submerge. Bring it to a high boil to avoid having to leave the plums in the hot water for too long. Excessively prolonged cooking would turn them into a puree.
Step 2. Prepare an ice bath
Fill a large bowl with ice and water to create an ice bath to dip the blanched plums into. Contact with the cold will immediately stop cooking and cool them.
Step 3. Make an "x" -shaped incision in the bottom of each plum
Creating this cross incision on the opposite side to that of the petiole will facilitate the subsequent removal of the peel. It is not necessary to cut the fruit deeply or create a large incision, just use a small knife and pierce the most superficial layer of the plums with two incisions of about 1-2 cm each.
Step 4. Blanch the prunes for 30 seconds
Dip them into the boiling water carefully and let them cook for 30 seconds. Be sure to measure the cooking time so as not to overcook the fruit. Even a few moments in excess could break them. Use a slotted spoon to remove the plums from the boiling water and dip them into the ice bath.
- Don't blanch more than four or five plums at a time. Otherwise the water in the pot will cool on contact with the cold fruits and the process will not take place effectively.
- If you wish, you can choose to arrange the plums in a large bowl and cover them with boiling water. Leave the plums to soak for 30 seconds. This technique is effective when you are dealing with very delicate plums, and you want to be sure not to overcook them.
Step 5. Soak the plums in the ice bath
Wait 30 seconds and then remove them from the water and let them drain.
Step 6. Peel the plums
Stick a finger under a corner of the peel where you made the incision. Pull the peel, you will find that it can be removed from the fruit very easily. Continue by pulling and completely removing the skin from each of the plums.
- If you have a 'stubborn' plum, use a small knife to gently pry the skin off.
- In case you are unable to lift the peel, you will need to repeat the process by blanching the fruit a second time. Make sure the water comes to a brisk boil and soak the fruit in the boiling water for 30 seconds to loosen the skin.
