Plum/Apple Preserves

Damson and Stanley plums provide a lush and complex canvas for bits of apple for texture and star anise, cinnamon and vanilla to  enhance the natural flavor of plum. We have only found Damsons at the farmers market and very few farmers grow them, at least in the Midwest. It's a tiny sour little fruit with a big pit but full of plum flavor and high in pectin, making them perfect for preserves. . It's worth the fussing about trying to remove the pits.  
We like this preserve on cheese blintzes with sour cream. This is also a preserve that can crossover to savory and is great with smoked duck breast and smoked pork loin. We like to make a sandwich with smoked duck breast, butter, arugula or watercress and a little of the plum preserve.