Plums, plums, plums and more plums!

The end of August is the perfect time to look out for plums.  We're lucky to have a local pick-your-own farm with oodles of gorgeous Victoria plums and at this time of year when the trees are laden,  they're at bargain prices.
Of course,  I never escape the PYO without going absolutely over-board so came away with about 6 kilos of plums.
Jam it is,  on this occasion! I'm only going to detail the recipes from now on because the method is exactly the same each time... and if it's not, I'll say so!

A vat of plums looks pretty much like any other vat of plums!  This one's Cardamom.

Plum and Cardamom Jam

A gorgeously fragrant plum jam, super-easy and a firm favourite with the family.

1.2 kg of plums
1kg of sugar
1 sachet of pectin
6-12 cardamom pods
A dash of lemon juice
A job of butter

Chop the plums up depending on how chunky you like your jam.  Pop in the sugar mixed with pectin and the cardamom.  Stir, and then let the spice infuse for a couple of hours before you start the jamming process. 

Spiced Plum Jam
A wonderful wintery plum jam with just a hint of spices. You can't go wrong!

1.2kg plums
1kg sugar
1 sachet pectin
A dash of lemon juice
A knob of butter
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Plum and Vanilla Jam

A lovely twist on "normal" plum jam

1.2kg of plums

1kg sugar

1 sachet pectin
A dash of lemon juice
A knob of butter

vanilla pod, vanilla essence or vanilla pastes, as is your wont.