June brings an abundance of early stone fruits to California markets, and plums are one of the most widely available and diverse types of stone fruits available. Plums come in many different colors, from purple to yellow to green, and tend to have tart skins and sweet flesh. As they ripen, plums become softer and sweeter, so you can choose to eat them when they're tart and crunchy, or when they're sweet and tender. A good source of Vitamin C, plums also provide some Vitamin A and dietary fiber. Plums are delicious when eaten plain, but because of their sweet-tart flavor they also go well in a number of different recipes. When cooked or baked, plums' naturally tart flavor becomes more pronounced, so take into account how much sweetener a cooked plum recipe may require. See below for recipe ideas, or learn more about plums and view their nutrition facts at the USDA's Seasonal Produce Guide.
Recipe Ideas: