Spotlight on Plums and Nectarines

Look for plums and nectarines at your farmers’ market in July. 

Watch this video on how to buy, store and prepare plums and nectarines.

Recipes 
Use nectarines or plums to replace peaches in these recipes

Fruit Salsa
Fruit Cobbler
Fruity Oatmeal 
Grill It! – Cut the fruit in half, brush on some oil, and put it on the grill for a sweet or savory dish.
 
Plums and nectarines are called stone fruit because of their large, hard seeds that look like stones. They both contain Vitamin C to help keep you from getting sick, and fiber to help your digestion.
 
Did you know??

•  Nectarines are a type of peach, just without fuzzy skin
•  There are over 2,000 varieties of plums
  

 
Choosing Plums and Nectarines

Look for smooth skin with no bruises or mushy spots.

•  Nectarines should smell sweet, like a peach
•  Plums should be heavy for their size and firm
•  If the plums have a white film on the outside, that is okay, and it can be washed off
  

Look for locally grown plums and nectarines in your favorite store, or at your local farmers' market, for the tastiest options.
 
How to Store Plums and Nectarines
Put ripe plums and nectarines in the fridge, unless you are going to eat them right away. When you are ready to eat them, let them sit on the counter for about an hour for the best taste.
Put plums and nectarines that need to ripen in a brown bag in a warm spot – like on top of the fridge.
 
How to Prepare Plums and Nectarines

Cut the plum or nectarine in half by cutting down the seam (center) of the fruit, in a full circle around the seed, twist, and separate.

If you cannot twist the fruit, cut wedges out with a knife.

Eat plums and nectarines any way you like – raw, grilled, baked – and in a savory or sweet dish!