When summer hits its stride, the sight of plump, dusky plums fill the grocery stores, and it's glorious, although fleeting. We can keep those luscious fruits ready to eat all winter long by simply canning them in hot liquid. Whether your plums are golden or deep purple in hue, these faintly-floral fruits are all shades of juicy, sweet, and tart. Savor those summer flavors like this: Start by washing them and pricking the skins with a fork.
Late-season plums are wonderful to bake with; juicy and slightly astringent as you get closer to the skin, they soften into a rich, almost winey sweetness. And, when they're nestled into soft almond cream and scented with star anise, they make a delicious tart for any time of day. Serve warm with pouring cream as pudding or cold with a cup of tea.