To Preserve Green Gages

Ingredients

• largest green gage plums with stalks
• loaf sugar
• vine or cabbage leaves
• cold water

Directions

1. Gather the largest green gage plums with stalks, using an equal amount of loaf sugar.

2. Place vine or cabbage leaves in the bottom of a pan, add the plums, cover with leaves, and fill with cold water.

3. When the plums rise to the top, remove them and carefully peel off the skin, placing them on a sieve.

4. Drain the water from the leaves, use fresh leaves, and heat the plums slowly in the pan, covering it closely for several hours until they turn green.

5. Remove the plums and drain them on a sieve.

6. Clarify the sugar and boil it for eight minutes, then add the plums and boil gently until they are transparent.

7. Carefully place the plums into jars.

8. Boil the syrup for a few minutes, then pour it over the plums when cold.

9. In three or four days, pour off the syrup, boil it again, and when cold, pour it back over the fruit.