Want to taste the color purple? Eat a damson.
The sorta-kinda plum is sweet and sour like a healthy Sour Patch Kid you can pick from a tree. The skin of a damson has a tart flavor that has a rich, but acidic plummy flavor. The inner part of the distinctive fruit with its deep indigo skin is yellowish-green and packs a small punch of sweetness to lessen the pucker. The autumn fruit is at its best during the crisp October months.
If you are lucky enough to get your hands on a damson choose those that are plump and juicy, but still firm. They store just like a plum and will last a few days at room temperature or a bit longer if you refrigerate them.
The wild plum is full of vitamin C, fiber and protein. The egg-shaped fruit also contains healthy minerals like phosphorous and potassium so if you can handle the sourness a raw damson is a true healthy treat.
The sweet and sour flavor of damsons makes them perfect for cooking because they can easily transform a dish. Here are some recipe ideas that highlight the rich indigo drupaceous fruit:
- The classic method of preparing damsons is in jelly form. Save the season in a jar.
- Make these damson, pear and walnut muffins. It is like biting into a hidden treasure.
- Eat autumn by adding a damson glaze to your meats. This recipe is for lamb chops, but I am sure duck or chicken wouldn’t resist being drenched in a purple coat.
- You don’t have to twist my arm to eat this divine looking damson pudding.
- Put on your coat and nosh on some damson ice cream.
If you aren’t blessed with access to damsons you can use regular ‘ol plums for these recipes and still have a happy palate.
What is the damson’s perfect pair-up? APPLES. Crazy right?
Now it is your turn to share what you would pair with the oversized grape.
CLICK TO TWEET>>> Damson plums pair fabulously with ________. #PairYourEats with @BiteSzWellness http://bit.ly/UWUDiy #foodpairing #weeklybite <<< TWEET ME!
Want to participate in the food pairing fun? The next #PairYourEats link-up is on Monday, October 1st. Learn how to participate in the flavorful foodgasm.
Have you ever tried a damson? What is your favorite fruit of fall?
photo credit: Isosceles via photopin cc
Oooh this looks delicious!! I love plums…I really hope I can find some of these!
It’s so much more than a plum! One of the many markets here will definitely have some in stock!
Looks like a simple prune plum to me??? I love plums and used to have a tree in my back yard. They looked just like these but they were sweet as sugar. Keep ’em coming!
It is a kinda sorta plum…not sure if it is the same thing you are thinking of. Love seeing you here Jana!